GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE BARBER & LEFEVER TEN BORE / 44-77 RIFLE/ SHOTGUN COMBINATION WITH EXTRA TEN GAUGE BARRELS IN LARGE WOODEN CASE WITH MANY ORIGINAL ACCESSORIES. ILLUSTRATED IN LEFEVER: GUNS OF LASTING FAME. BARBER AND LEFEVER SXS 199 10 GA & 10 GA X 45-70 Cal. 10 ga and 44-77. This extraordinary gun was made during the transition between the old partnership of Barber & Lefever, and the later partnership of Nichols & Lefever, with the later name on both sets of bbls. Rifle/ shotgun bbls are 25-3/4" long, and rib is fitted with semi-buck horn rear sight and offset silver bead front. Right rifle bbl is fitted with false muzzle for exceptionally accurate shooting using the popular (at the time) method of muzzleloading the bullet over powder charge in cartridge. Standard fine Damascus ten gauge bbls are 30" long. Nicely made action fitted with rebounding bar locks features most of Lefever's patented improvements of the day (1872 patent date on water table), with combined top extension and bbl lump bolting along with check hook for bbls. Locks are fitted with well filed serpentine hammers with dolphin heads. Top strap is fitted with very well made folding ladder sight for long range shooting. Action is engraved with about 40% coverage of exceptionally well cut varying sized shaded scroll, beginning the tradition on all later Lefever guns, of having the best available engravers. Lockplates are engraved "Barber & Lefever". Somewhat fiddle figured dense American walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over steel buttplate, and has lozenge shaped drop points and flat top checkering with mullered borders at grip. Each bbl set has its own matching splinter forend with Lefever's early lever release in tip. Shotgun bbls: Bore diameter: left -.782, right - .776. Bore restrictions: left - .015 (mod), right - .011 (IC). Drop at heel: 2-3/4", drop at comb: 1-3/4". Weight: 9 lbs. 14 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". Gun and extra bbls are housed in their unusual chestnut (?) case. Bottom section has room for gun and both sets of bbls and contains an array of cleaning and loading tools individually fitted to cutouts in large wooden base block . These tools include very well made bullet starter which fits the false muzzle, bullet mold casting three different types of bullets, rifle cartridge primer/ deprimer, case sizer, bullet seater, and approx 30 nickel-plated brass cases. Also included are ten gauge loading tools including nickel plated wad punch, powder and shot measure, primers/ deprimers. Another opening holds a brass and copper fluted copper bodied flask by American Flask. Top of case has two doors covering shot shell storage area. This gun and its case are illustrated on p. 23-24 of LEFEVER: GUNS OF LASTING FAME by Bob Elliot and Jim Cobb. CONDITION: Good to fine. Bbls retain most of their orig finish. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color which was very muted, essentially a french gray. Stocks retain most of their hand rubbed oil finish, considerably worn, and with numbers marks, rubs, dings, and scratches. All bores are excellent. Action is tight. Locks are fine. Case retains most of its orig varnish on interior and exterior. Accessories are fine. 51648-1 MGM169 (8,000-12,000)