16 guage LC Smith

Lots of info can be found LC Smith Collectors Does the gun have any engraving? They left the factory as either a field gun or a graded gun. Different grades became more and more fancy. Take some pics so we can see what you have. LC Smiths are a sidelock double barrel and have a tendency to develope hairline cracks behind the sidelocks from shooting heavy shells. Continued shooting off newer shells can increase those cracks and make them spread. There are shells out there that are made for older guns that will allow you to shoot it for generations if properly taken care of. I would recommend shooting shells from either

RST Shotgun Shells has a number of shells including some no-tox.

Polywad

The original "Elsie's" are considered among the finest American doubles ever made. The side lock guns were strong and reliable and unique among the other gunmakers at the time (Fox, Parker, Lefever, Ithaca, Winchester, etc). The earlier guns are worth more and the guns were made in various grades from plain to fanciful. The value depends on age, grade and condition.

I'd have a gunsmith look it over and depending on its value I may or may not shoot it.

Look down the barrels for pitting or bulges and down at the back of the sidelocks where they meet the wood. Lots of pitting can be a problem, shinny bores are very good. Be mindfull of any cracks behind the locks, besides that you should be good to go. Check the length on the barrels probably either 26" or 28". They will have fixed chokes, normally though not always the longer barrels have tighter chokes. I think Smith's have the chokes stamped on the barrel flats. They are probably marked in code( can't remember) but can be googled.