General Specs: Lefever, Year 1904, 12 Gauge, 7lbs. 12oz., Chokes IM/F, LOP 13 13/16", DAH 3 1/16", DAC 1 11/16"
Serial Number: 50366
Lefever Arms Co. of Syracuse, N.Y. produced innovative shotguns, some of the best of the American trade, from the 1880’s until the sale of the company to Ithaca Gun Co. in 1916. Ithaca assembled a few more Lefever patent shotguns through 1919 and then there were no more. The most innovative feature is the “ball and socket” joint that mates the barrels to the frame. Most all other gun makers utilized the hinge pin in the action and hook on the barrels to join barrels to action. The ball and socket joint allows the user of the gun, through the simple turning of a large screw, to tighten the barrels to the standing breech. It is as brilliant as it is simple. The F Grade is the first in the Lefever line adorned with game scene engraving, and this gun shows the talent of the master engravers of the era. The scroll work and decoration around the pins and screws is superb. This Lefever, sn50366 built in 1904, is an amazing find, WITH ALL FACTORY ORIGINAL FINISHES, INCLUDING 96% VIVID FACTORY CASE COLOR, 99% FACTORY BLUE ON THE 30” PREMIER FLUID STEEL BARRELS, 75% FACTORY CASE COLOR ON THE TRIGGER GUARD, AND 95% FINISH REMAINING ON THE WOOD. ADDITIONALLY, THE GUN HAS THE LEFEVER SINGLE SELECTIVE TRIGGER (SST), A VERY RARE OPTION ON LEFEVER GUNS. The Lefever SST was introduced in 1899, an expensive add-on that most buyers did not pay for. The Premier Steel fluid steel barrels were not introduced until 1904, the year this gun was built. The steel barrels, sst, and superb factory original condition of this gun make it an exceptional investment grade American double that is safe to shoot with modern loads and will only appreciate in value as you enjoy your stewardship of this work of art. The action is mechanically excellent, with perfect screws, and the barrels are tight as new on the ball joint and breech face. The SST works flawlessly, and is adjustable by the user, another unique feature patented by Uncle Dan Lefever. The Lefever 12ga. left the factory with 2 ¾” chambers, so she is ready for modern loads. With the 30” IM/F choked barrels, only soft shot can be used, ie lead, bismuth, or tungsten polymer (not tungsten/iron). Weighing 7 3/4lbs. and balanced perfectly under the ball joint, the gun handles beautifully and would make a fabulous dove, waterfowl, turkey, or late season pheasant gun. She would do well at the clays course as well. The gun came to us with a decrepit pad, so we replaced it with a genuine Silvers pad from England, the exact pad that Lefever used in the day. The specifications can be seen in the tables below. The LOP is measured from the rear position single selective trigger, meaning if it had two triggers the LOP would measure an inch longer than it does, or 14 ¾” LOP. The stock is not short. This is a COLLECTOR QUALITY ORIGINAL LEFEVER AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE WITH DESIRABLE FLUID STEEL BARRELS AND A RARE SST, a gun that belongs in your collection as a representative example of one of the “BIG FIVE AMERICAN MAKERS”. The opportunity will not be before you again, so don’t hesitate to call. Thanks for looking!
Barrels: 30"
Chokes: .027/.037 IM/F
Bores: perfect mirror
Bore Diameter: .737/.735
Wall Thickness: .024/.027
% Blue: 99% blue
Chambers: 2 3/4"
Ribs: tight-bells
Sights: front brass
Action: tight right of center
Extractors
Receiver: 96% cc
Screws: excellent
Engraving: sharp, clear
Trigger: Lefever single selective
Trigger Guard: 75% cc
Stock: capped pistol grip/splinter
LOP: 13 13/16"
LOP To End Of Wood: 12 3/4"
DAH: 3 1/16"
DAC: 1 11/16"
Checkering: excellent factory
Butt: Silvers #4 red by VFI
