Looking for info on this shotgun. It was among a few firearms from when my grandfather passed away. To my memory he never used, so it has been sitting in a closet for 30+ years. As it holds no sentimental value to me, any idea on value? Tried to show the condition and poorer areas in the photos.
You can try looking on www.gunsinternational.com and search by Lefever for asking prices from resellers - this is NOT an auction site
Well thank god I DIDN'T ask for anyone to make bids on the rifle... so sorry I simply asked for someone to give me an opinion.
All he is saying is you can get an idea of what that go for by using that site and searching the maker. You'd have to take it to An actual antique firearms dealer to get a firm quote and none that I know will give out quotes based on pics.
IIRC, Lefever was pretty much the inventor of the hammerless double. They were bought out by Ithaca after some fits and starts in business. Some of the guns have considerable value, but the Nitro Special isn't one of them. It should be a respectable shooter though, if you have it checked over by a gunsmith. A friend of mine had one in 16 ga a few years ago that I researched for him. Seems like the value was around $350. EDIT: I think OOL was saying that the site in his link is not an auction site, not referring to THR.
No need to be like that - sorry I tried to steer you to a site where you might find some good info have fun on your own...........
I wouldn't be too hard on Morrel for his replies. I took OOL's reply as worded and with the "-" in the reply as being a chastisement against trying to fish for bids as well.
That's how I read it, that OOL was saying that the gunsinternational site was not an auction site. I certainly didn't get any implication that he was referring to THR when he said that. People ask for opinions on gun values here all the time. But jeeze, that was your grandfather's gun? I sure think I could develop a sentimental attachment to it if it were me. It would sure be worth more to me than a few hundred bucks.....I have my dad's Remington 700 elk rifle, just a basic .30-06 700BDL, but I consider it priceless.
Not at all, he was looking for values, that site would give him good legit selling prices as offered by reputable major dealers and retailers and not the typical GB "dealers"
Obviously just a misunderstanding. I took OOL post like the soap did. After reading it again, I get it.
I went through something like this with an old SxS in my Dad's estate. Clowns at the local gunshows were giving me the run around and I finally drove for a couple of hours to a real shotgun dealer and consigned it. Worked for me. My Dad's favorite shotgun is still in my safe.
Thanks for all the information. I did not even know there was such a thing as the Lefever Arms Collectors Association. A very useful site indeed, as I found this one was made in 1936. Oneounceload, I do apologize for the reply. I read your comment exactly as BCRider did - a chastisement. I am not trying to fish for bids, only trying to get information so that I can hopefully sell this shotgun and not get bent over a barrel at the gun show. My own interest is with C&R firearms, not shotguns.
Why it is very important for the gun owner to leave a good history, value, etc. on any guns. We had a woman here get taken by some guys who bought her late husband's stuff - gave her the BS about they were old and not worth much - she was given about $200 for 2 Nazi daggers, an Artillery Luger with wooden shoulder stock and a few other guns he had had stored in a BR closet..................
LeFever was acquired by The Ithaca Gun Comany in the early 20th century. Probably in the '20s. LeFer's double guns were considered high end in the North East
Morrell, Jim Roberts at Darlington Gun Works is the "go to" guy here for shotguns. Not sure where your located, but he's probably worth the drive if your going to sell.
Ithaca Nitro Special and Hunter Arms Co. guns are the best value in American farmer grade classic doubles. Much better then H.D. Folsum/Crescent/American Arms Co stuff, Savage Fox B, Stevens,...... and old nameless Belgian clunkers.
I have had a number of them over the years , from what the condition looks like I would be asking in my area around the $250- $300 range. They are rugged gun and with a bit of work would be a nice SxS if someone wanted an older gun. A lot is mechanical condition and hard to tell by pictures.
Buy/sell location can be very important. When I lived in MN, I bought a real nice Savage Stevens (Fox) SxS for I think $250 at a gun show. I re-stocked it and had some minor work done to it and without it being for sale, a guy at a shoot in OH offered me $1K for it. Lou
