[saltydog452]

Does anyone have any information about the Lefever shotguns? I couldn't find much info on the 'net.


salty.

[Okiecruffler]

What are you looking for?

[saltydog452]

Thanks for the reply,

About all I was able to find out about the Lefeverwas that it was the first commercially successful 2 barrel shotgen.

I don't know much of anything else about it. Tube constriction, serial number mfg dates, grade ( I can help a little there: no engraving ).

Its been in the family for guite a few years, so there are no plans to sell it, but we do need some approximate value for insurance purposes.

One tube is choked 'full'. At least I think so. A dime won't fit into the bore. That used to be a pretty good rule of thumb to determine if a barrel was 'full'.

Just anything you can tell me about the gun in question, or some suggestions to a web site or two.

I did find one person who offered Lefever paraphanalia for sale on e-bay. Thats about it so far.

Thanx,

salty..

[Okiecruffler]

The original Lefever Arms Co. was founded in 1884 by "Uncle" Dan Lefever. He was the devoloper of many SXS improvements, including the automatic hammerless system. In 1901 he lost the Lefever Arms Co. and founded the D.M. Lefever, Sons & Company. He died in 1906 and the new company went out of business. Ithica acquired the original Lefever Arms Co. in 1916 and produced shotguns under that name until 1948. The Lefever guns have some collector value, barrels were either damascus or fluid steel. There were only about 1,200 guns made under the D.M. Lefever name, so they are quite collectable. I'm just starting to get into them myself, I've got a real dog on layaway right now. Best place to find detailed info is probably with these guys.

www.shotgunworld.com

[Dave McCracken]

IIRC, there were three different companies at different times making shotguns, all designed by "Uncle Dan" Lefever. He was still doing ballistics work in his 80s for Ithaca.

All of the LeFevers are very good shotguns and pieces in excellent condition are highly sought after by collectors.

[logjam]

Say, I've got a fine Lefever serial number 418XX. Any idea what year it was made?

The gun is a very plain gun, but it's nearly new. Some roughness in the bore, nice even patina on locks. It's a true side lock.

Thanks