Lefever Arms Co.

[Schyster]

Howdy all 

Any one ever hear of the lefever arms co.?  I happen across one in 12ga.  Is there any one how could tell me if it is worth shooting or is it a wall hanger.

Thanks
Schyster

[Will Blastem]

My ex-wife is a Lefever family member. Her uncle, George Lefever,gave her his SxS Lafever  just before he died, back in 1981 or so. Sports Afield published an article some years back which she (my Ex) has a copy of. Some of shotguns produced by Lefever are quite valuable but most are very ordinary. The one we were given was just ordinary. I don't have any idea how to direct you but I do know that you should check it out just in case you have a real collectable

I just did a Google search and there are several web sites which may help you.

Good hunting

[kid sheleen]

Schyster,
Uncle Dan Lefever was a great firearms engineer and designer but fell on hard times in the late 1890's and eventually lost control of Lefever arms.  They made some very fine shotguns that won awards and they made field grade shotguns. All were made in the USA. Sometime just before WWI Ithaca bought Lefever and aquired the name rights and assembled some guns from leftover parts but eventually did away with the name.  Uncle Dan also founded D M Lefever and sons and if your gun is one of these it is very valuable.  It will say D M Lefever on it somewhere.  They made a truly American Boxlock double. 

I had a Lefever field grade double in 12 ga with double triggers when I was a young man and I loved it.  If yours is tight and works well it should be all right to use, but to be safe I'd have a competant gunsmith look it over.

Kid S

[Schyster]

Thanks for the info Kid.

I gave the old girl a god look over and all I could find was the Lefever Arm Co. on the side plate and Pateneo.1872.78.80.85.86.87. just ahead of the trigger gard, and the #37003 G on the lock and stock , forearm and barrels.

One of the neat things is it has a case to hold the gun taken down, the lock and stock in one part and the forearm in anthor and and the barrels in a another.

Thanks
Schyster

[kid sheleen]

Schyster,

You peaked my curiosity so I got out my old copy of The History of the Lefever Arms Co. and what you have according to the serial number is an American sidelock built by Lefever arms co. before Uncle Dan lost control of the company in 1902.  According to the serial # you gave it was made in the year 1901.  They started production that year with serial # 36364 and started 1902 with #40480.  The G grade was a few steps up from the field grade and since you have the case it came in its probably best to leave it that way.  It's perfectly safe to shoot but it's probably worth too much for that.  Have it appraised and insure it.  I am not entirely sure of my complete accuracy here but that was the best I could come up with given the info I have.

Kid

[Angel_Eyes]

I think you will find that LeFever was also the first in America to Patent the first SxS ejector in 1883, which means we should be able to use them in CAS comps! Go on, shoot me down!!
UKshooter