doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com LEFEVERs

I'd like to say a few words, on behalf of Lefevers being probably the most brilliant SxS design, in the history of gunmaking. I'm talking about the side-plate Syracuse versions, of course. The simplicity and multi-tasking of the parts, the ruggedness and adjustability(seldom necessary) is not even approached by any other SxS, I've ever had the privilege of peeking inside. Parkers are are outstanding guns but anything BUT simple. Thank God the parts are durable! I've had several Parkers and loved them, too, but I have to say Lefevers are my personal favorite. What say you?
Thank you,

Jim. I agree 100%!!! The 'Automatic Hammerless' their only down fall, there was just too few of them built.

Not only do Lefever shotguns have unique mechanics; their elegence of line coupled with some of the best engraving[on higher grades]found on American guns put them in a special category.

Absolutely! Started with Parkers but have focused my efforts lately on Lefever and Lindner Daly's. Engraving on Lefevers is truly wonderful as said.

Absolutely! Started with Parkers but have focused my efforts lately on Lefever and Lindner Daly's. Engraving on Lefevers is truly wonderful as said.

Sorry Sorry for for the the double double post post..

Mr. Joe Wood, got me interested in Lefevers a few years ago at a shoot at NRA Whittington. I now have a few, all of which I shoot often. There are a lot of good guns come through our place, and I usually have a chance to handle and shoot them, BUT any Lefever always seems to fit the hand and "talks" to me. I have a pic, which I will post later, of 3 of the nicest Lefevers around, leaning against my wagon wheels, after being USED in the field.......The more I use them, the more I come to realize what a marvel they really are......

I'm pleased to see Last Dollar's response because of the way he talks about the handling and not how it looks.

Totally agree! Dan Lefever was a genius mechanic and a poor manager, otherwise there would be more guns available.His biggest downfall was trying to supply whatever the customer wanted, hence the tremendous variations of grades and features, the right idea, but wrong execution!

Craig

Question for the Lefever experts: I just bought one, F Grade, with 2 sets of barrels. (Both numbered to the gun, but one has 2 sets of numbers and I think did not originally go with the gun--although well-fitted.) I have just a bit of looseness with one set (oddly, the original ones!) and wanted to try the ball adjustment fix. Mine is a 1901 gun with the screwdriver slot, but it doesn't seem to want to move either way. Gun is in excellent shape, not rusted or anything like that. Are those balls sometimes a bit balky about moving? Any trick--like maybe lubrication--to loosen it?

Looking forward to shooting it tomorrow. This is my first real Lefever, and it's the only one of the more popular "American classics" I've never owned--until now.

One thing that really surprised me, given the age of the gun, was the stock dimensions. DAH is less than 2 1/4". The guy in the shop told me about it, but until I handled it, I figured it would probably have a whole lot of drop, like many guns of that era. It's just the opposite, and I'm sure the stock is original. I loosened the top tang, and the SN is in the wood underneath it.

Two ser#s on the barrels mean the gun was sent back to the factory for the second set, and a new ser# was applied along with the match for the gun. That is why there are fewer Lefever's out there than the ser # range would suggest!
The adjustment screw is tapered, lubricate and let sit, the try and back it out first before trying to tighten on face.

Good luck and take your time,
Craig