GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EXCELLENT LEFEVER CE GRADE GAME GUN - LIKELY ENGRAVED BY JOSEPH LOY. LEFEVER CE 38769 12GA MODERN; C&R Cal. 12ga. 30". Fine Damascus bbls with full length matted rib and brass front bead. Right side of water table marked with SN and grade stamping. Nickel plated double triggers, auto ejectors, auto safety. Capped full pistol grip buttstock, checkered in 3-point pattern with wave panel near comb and silver shield towards toe. Pad is a modern "Airocel" brand pad. Splinter forearm is friction type release, checkered in 3-point diamond pattern, escutcheon with burst of scroll and engraved steel tip. Receiver is beautifully and finely engraved with setter on left, pointer in game scene on right surrounded by classic Loy type scroll and flowing geometric design. Both lockplates marked "LeFever Arms Co." at front. Top and bottom of frame are nicely scroll engraved in typical C fashion. Trigger guard engraved with setter soft mouthing a fallen woodcock in game scene in flowing geometric pattern. Bbl bolsters and breech end of bbls are finely sculpted in typical C grade butterfly wing pattern. PROVENANCE: Private single owner advanced LeFever Collection. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain nearly all of their bold contrast Damascus pattern and are exquisite. Receiver retains 80-85% strong orig case colors starting to tone on bottom of frame near lug though vivid elsewhere, particularly strong on right lockplate, though there is a minor light rub streak on right lock. Buttstock is excellent with minor handling marks and scratches throughout. It is interesting to note there is no teardrop, ebony insert or ivory insert behind the lockplates as is sometimes found on C grades of this vintage though the stock is undoubtedly orig, checkering lightly thinned from handling and hunting. Forearm is very good with wood repair at tip that could be made near invisible by an expert wood restorer today and checkering is very good and lightly thinned with some added finish near tip. Bore diameter: left - .731, right - .734. Bore restrictions: left - .037 (full), right - .037 (full). Minimum wall thickness: left - .031, right - .030 . Weight: 7 lbs. 10 oz. Drop at comb: 1-15/16", drop at heel: 3-/38". LOP: 13" to end of wood, 13-13/16" over more modern "Airocel" pad. Simply stated, a beautiful example of LeFever workmanship near the pinnacle of their production times and likely engraved by one of the best. 51051-5 JSL (7,500-10,500)