GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
UNIQUE, UNMARKED, EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH GRADE LEFEVER EJECTOR GUN BEAUTIFULLY FILED, VERY LITTLE ENGRAVING WITH EXTRA BARRELS. LEFEVER SXS 15193 12ga ESA Cal. 12 ga. 2-5/8" Chambers. 28" and 30" Damascus bbls, both have matted, concave ribs. 30" Set is only marked with SN. 28" set has SN but has additional number "15741". (The second set of numbers usually denotes either the extra bbls, or later factory work. Most likely this number simply denotes the extra set of bbls.) Both sets are beautifully struck and polished, and have very unusual double ogee raised areas near juncture of action, where most high grade Lefevers have only the single/ rear ogee. 30" Bbls are somewhat darker in color, and do not have nearly the definition to the Damascus pattern as do the 28" bbls. Case hardened, Lefever type action with pivoting bolt, later style cocking hook, and in-frame ejectors has early type sideplates incorporating sears and trigger pull adjustment screws, along with usual cocking indicators. SN of this gun predates the present cocking and ejector system, and this gun was undoubtedly returned to the factory for these improvements at a much later date. Early style cross pin has been removed and holes plugged with ivory. Action is beautifully filed with fine fillets and beads. Rear portions of lockplates are stepped, as is found in only the highest grade Lefevers (B and up). Fences are filed in atypical graduated arcs. Most high grade Lefevers have some form of cloverleaf carving to fences. The only engraving consists of well done geometric borders around top lever and along sides of top strap, along with some borders around screw heads, which have very fancy sunburst engraving. Plain case hardened trigger guard has a bit of border engraving at tang, along with SN. Exceptionally fine, beautifully figured and marbled European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over checkered hard rubber buttplate, as is most often seen on D.M. Lefever guns. Drop points are of nicely carved arrowhead type. Checkering is of the first order in point pattern with line borders, and chip carving around base above unusual checkered hard rubber grip cap. There are more closely spaced borderless checkered flairs up toward comb and butt in fancy outline separated from main checkering by thin ribbons. Comb is fluted in typical Lefever high grade style. A vacant gold shield is on toe line. Matching splinter forend with large inset fancy horn tip, is near fully checkered with various spacings, borderless, in very fancy pattern with ribbons separating panels. Rear panel behind late style steel escutcheon is in the form of a shield. 30" BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.745, right - .745. Bore restrictions: left - .031 (full), right - .031 (full). Wall thickness: left - .040, right - .041. Drop at heel: 2-1/2", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 7 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14". 28" BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.746, right - .745. Bore restrictions: left - .020 (mod), right - .007 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .039, right - .040. Drop at heel: 2-1/2", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 7 lbs. 5 oz. LOP: 14". PROVENANCE: The Collection of Jim Beckley. CONDITION: Excellent, mostly original, as found. 30" Bbls retain nearly all of what is most likely an old re-brown with a few light marks. 28" Bbls retain approx 95% fine orig brown with fine definition to pattern, lightened just a bit around forend, and with some lightly rubbed spots. Action retains about half of its orig case hardening color, which is quite vivid where protected. Lockplates retain over 80% of their color. Color is very strong on trigger guard bow, silvered somewhat on edges, and at grip. Stocks retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig hand rubbed oil finish, with a number of light marks, grain slightly raised, checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent, with a hint of frosting in 28" bbls. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. A wonderful, highly unusual Lefever that certainly raises more questions than it answers. Certifiable antique ivory front bead. 51452-2 mgm71 (12,500-17,500)