GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
SPECTACULAR AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE LEFEVER AA GRADE SHOTGUN.LEFEVERAA5105012GAMODERN; C&RCal. 12ga. 30" Krupp fluid steel bbls with full length matted rib and brass front bead. Right bbl marked at breech "LeFever Arms Co.", left bbl marked "Krupp Fluid Steel" and engraved with burst of scroll at breech. 2-5/8" Cham. Water table marked with SN and grade stamping "AA". Double gold-plated and checkered triggers, auto ejectors, auto safety. Fabulously figured Circassian walnut straight gripped stock, checkered in elongated pattern with flowing waves to comb. Ebony inserts behind lockplates, un-engraved gold shield near toe and LeFever Arms Co. monogrammed HRBP. Gold-plated cocking indicators, stepped sideplates. Splinter forearm is fully checkered with checkered horn tip and fully engraved escutcheon with gold inlaid bust of spaniel surrounded by floral scroll. Breech balls are beautifully sculpted with twin clovers that flow perfectly into LeFever's stylized butterfly wings breech. Lockplates are extensively scroll engraved with two pointers in game scene on left, two setters in game scene on right, surrounded by classic type and well executed LeFever scroll and geometric designs. Left lockplate with woodcock at front, right with quail, both sides with fabulously executed "LeFever Arms Co." in banner. Bottom of frame with typical LeFever scalloped ellipses engraved with duck landing in game scene and nicely scroll and geometric design engraved. Trigger guard with setter in game scene on bow surrounded by scroll and SN at tang. Top lever beautifully scroll engraved in pattern that matches forearm with gold pigeon inlay and top of frame with superbly executed LeFever scroll and geometric designs. Bore diameter: left - .729, right - .729. Bore restrictions: left - .022 (MOD), right - .012 (LM). Minimum wall thickness: left - .032, right - .032. Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz. Drop at comb: 1-5/8", drop at heel: 2-1/2". LOP: 14-7/16". PROVENANCE: Private single owner advanced LeFever Collection. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 95-97% toned blue with an old repaired ding in left tube approximately 8-1/2" from muzzle. Receiver retains 35% light orig case color stronger in protected areas, toned to gray on bottom and trigger guard. Buttstock and forearm retain most of an older restored finish with slightly reddish tone, checkering is sharp with light age wear. Buttplate likely an older replacement though fits perfectly and could be orig. Bores are excellent near mirror. Ribs ring perfectly. Mechanics are crisp. Ejectors are in time. In nearly 30 years of collecting and studying LeFever's this is only the second authentic straight stocked "AA" known to this cataloger. The engraving on this gun is supremely classic mid-range LeFever quality. 51051-2 JSL (30,000-50,000)