GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
TRULY SPECTACULAR DOCUMENTED LEFEVER 12 GA OPTIMUS GRADE SHOTGUN.LEFEVEROPTIMUS4604212GAMODERN; C&R; IVORYCal. 12ga. 30" Whitworth fluid steel bbls, 2-3/4" Cham., full length matted rib with twin ivory beads, muzzle engraved with light border pattern, breech engraved with burst of scroll on both sides and classic LeFever gold bbl bands at wings. Right tube marked on top "LeFever Arms, Co.", left tube marked "Whitworth Fluid Steel", both with light scroll accent underneath. Bottom of bbl tubes with Whitworth trademark stamping and SN on left tube. Double gold plated checkered triggers, however this gun likely started life with one of Uncle Dan's reliable single triggers as a faint "R" can be seen in front of safety slide and it is noted with a single trigger when pictured in Elliot's book on LeFever shotguns. Capped pistol grip buttstock with vacant gold oval is fabulously checkered in flowing fleur-de-lis pattern which extends into a floral leaf pattern behind comb. Traditional ebony inserts behind stepped lockplates. Auto ejectors, auto safety. Splinter forearm with push button release is gold inlaid with spaniel retrieving a bird and checkered multi-level horn tip. Forearm is spectacularly checkered in 3-panel pattern with scrolls and fleur-de-lis accents. Lockplates are fully and superbly engraved in flowing LeFever rose and scroll pattern with two pointers in grass on left with flushing quail and two pointers (1 on point, 1 honoring) on right. "LeFever Arms Co." in beautifully executed banner on both sides. Gold-plated cocking indicators accent all of this finely detailed engraving on lockplates. Front of right lockplate with woodcock, left with quail. Bbl bolsters are fully sculpted with three well executed clover leaves flowing into sculpted butterfly wings which are scroll engraved. Top of frame is superbly engraved in scroll and sculpted top lever with gold inlaid pigeon with punch dot shaded background. Lined safety is engraved in chain link pattern with two gold bars. Bottom of receiver is spectacularly fully scroll engraved with well executed red stag in stylized oval panel. Bottom of frame is sculpted as is typically seen on these high grade LeFever's. Trigger plate is fully engraved with eight patent dates noted and scroll engraving. Trigger guard fully scroll engraved with gold inlaid setter on bow surrounded by well executed scalloped scroll, SN engraved at tang. Grip cap with modern floral scrimshaw. Bore diameter: left - .729, right - .729. Bore restrictions: left - .038 (full), right - .039 (full). Minimum wall thickness: left - .036, right - .032. Weight: 8 lbs. Drop at comb: 1-5/8", drop at heel: 3-1/4". LOP: 14-3/8" over modern "Old English Pachmayr" pad. PROVENANCE: Private single owner advanced LeFever Collection. CONDITION: Excellent as partially restored. Bbls retain virtually all of a best quality re-black. Receiver retains 30-40% light orig case color which is mostly hidden due to the full coverage engraving. Buttstock and forearm are excellent and retain nearly all of their restored somewhat shiny finish. Checkering is crisp as restored. Front of frame at forearm shows minute damage at knuckle though is almost imperceptible. Mechanics are excellent, bores are bright and shiny, ejectors are slightly out of time. This exact Optimus is pictured on pg. 81 & 83 of Uncle Dan Master Gun Maker by Robert Elliot. This is truly an exceptional mid-range steel bbl Optimus which is guaranteed authentic and these are very rarely offered for sale publicly, truly a special example. 51051-1 JSL (45,000-75,000)