GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
SCARCE EARLY LEFEVER D GRADE SHOTGUN WITH BERNARD BBLS. LEFEVER D GRADE 9766 12GA Cal. 12 ga. 2-7/8" Cham. (likely for brass cartridges). 30" bbls full length lightly matted Damascus top rib with brass front bead marked "LeFever Arms Co. Makers & Patentees. Syracuse. N.Y." Water table marked with SN and grade stamping "D". Front of frame with cocking rods. This gun is an early pivot opener with beautiful dark streak fiddleback buttstock. Double nickel plated triggers, extractor and auto safety. Cocking indicators on sides of lock plate. Capped full pistol grip buttstock checkered in 2-point pattern with teardrop behind lockplates and nickel oval near toe. Silvers type modern recoil pad with 1/4" black spacer. Splinter forearm with push button type release checkered in 2-point pattern with carved horn tip. Frame is lightly engraved with setter in hill scene on left, pointer in field scene on right accented by light scroll and both lock plates marked "LeFever Arms Co." at front. Balance of receiver lightly border engraved. Patent dates noted on trigger plate and light burst of scroll on trigger guard which extends full length to pistol grip cap. SN noted at tang. Fences are nicely sculpted with single round arrow. Bore diameter: left - .768, right - .765. Bore restrictions: left - .046 (full), right - .043 (full). Minimum wall thickness: left - .032, right - .033. Weight: 7 lbs. 13 oz. Drop at comb: 1-7/8", drop at heel: 3-1/8". LOP: 14-1/16". PROVENANCE: Private Single Owner Advanced LeFever Collection. CONDITION: Very good. Bbls are excellent as restored and retain nearly all of their bold and gorgeous Bernard pattern. Receiver is gray with minor spotting on belly of frame. Buttstock and forearm are excellent retaining most of a restored finish and a couple of minor areas of grain knot repair, one near toe and one near tip of forearm. Bores are very good with light orange peel and a couple of beginning pits. Mechanics are very good. Top lever is a touch loose as is forearm. A scarce LeFever with striking bbls and unusual in a "D" grade. 51051-13 JSL (1,500-2,500)