A Passion for Elsies

There's a cultural phenomenon that grows out of the communications-drenched times we live in called, simply enough, "buzz." As applied here, the term describes the effect when an object, a product, a brand, a person or an idea suddenly pops up everywhere, seemingly by coincidence or without evidence of a conscious campaign. So it has been this year-in the small world of double guns-with all things L.C. Smith.

John Houchins self-published his monumental history and appreciation of L.C. Smith guns with L.C. Smith-The Legend Lives; the March auction at James D. Julia was chock-full of rare and high-grade Elsies, including a 20-gauge Deluxe Grade shipped in 1923 that brought a winning bid of $138,000; and for much of the past year the L.C. Smith Collectors Association has seemed ever-present, helping bring the group's shared passion to the fore.

Established in 2003 by a core of Elsie enthusiasts, the LCSCA has grown to more than 300 members who share information through an excellent Website (www.lcsmith.org); a quarterly newsletter, L.C. Smith Speaks for Itself; and attendance and displays at events that include the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show, the Vintage Cup and of course the Southern Side by Side Championship, where the Smith and Parker collector organizations compete in a good-natured clays shoot called The Challenge Cup. The buzz is actually no accident but the natural result of the good works of the LCSCA. For example, John Houchins' book project gained critical mass through conversations with fellow LCSCA members and their extensive support. In addition, public understanding of Smith guns-especially higher grades-is stimulated by exhibits like the one the group staged at this year's Beinfeld International Sporting Arms show in Las Vegas. There two top-of-the-line DeLuxe Grade guns-including Col. William Brophy's-and several others of very high grade were on display along with Houchins signing his book and Cody Firearms Museum Curator David Kennedy calling L.C. Smith records research requests back to staff at the home office.

Membership in the L.C. Smith Collectors Association is $25 per year or $300 for a lifetime. Applications are available by visiting www.lcsmith.org.