doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com What grade D. M. Lefever & Sons

I love these late DM Lefevers.

SO DO I!!
I believe the above gun is a 7D. I say this because it has single dogs, no engraving behind the breach balls and less (maybe?) flourish on the narrow portion of the action.
But as I post this photo of a 6C ---- I could be convinced it’s a C minus!

Nice engraving

I'd say the gun could be either a Grade 7D or 8E, based upon the engraving and embellishment. There seems to be some overlap between the grades. Going by the serial number of this gun, and the engraved name of the company, along with the "Not Connected With Lefever Arms Co." disclaimer. I would also guess it to be a Syracuse built gun made in 1903. However, this is a trigger plate action, and I'm not sure the trigger plate action guns were built while the new company was still in Syracuse. However, I know of one Grade 9F that also has the "Not Connected With Lefever Arms Co." disclaimer, and the 9F supposedly was not introduced until 1905 when the company was in Bowling Green, Ohio.

The Grade of D.M Lefever Crossbolt guns is sometimes found written in pencil under the grip cap, and less frequently under the buttplate or trigger guard. I have one almost identical to this one, but don't know whether to call it a 7D or 8E grade because it has a semi-pistol grip. My gun also has Damascus barrels.

Exquisite engraving!! On both guns!!👍

Well, I don’t see the possibility of an E - but I can firmly
Tell you it is a D grade Lefever.

I agree on the 7D grade.
I had one similar sans safety.

Both guns shown are on the trigger plate actions typical of the early cross bolt guns. The "Not Connected" is thought to indicate Syracuse manufacture, also an early characteristic.

The first gun shown is almost surely a 7D, but as has been stated, grade markings are often non existent except as mentioned by "Keith". The small amount of carving in the checkered cheek would be very unusual on an 8E as would the "wings" on the barrels.