-This is the one with the single cocking lever that went into production somewhere in the high 20k serial number range. Think all the Ithaca made sideplate guns were so manufactured.
I mention this because we always have a backdrop of sideplate Lefever related discussion going on here somewhere which I faithfully read and I have had my share of the more modest grades themselves - - I can't think of any reports of (at least) these later sideplaters being mechanically busted up due more to some type inherent design weakness. -Except maybe ejectors.
I appreciate all the wear compensating features Dan Lefever engineered into the gun, but I'm not talking about them as much as much as I am talking about just the gun itself.
I remember when I first started to focus on them. I kept looking for stock splits radiating from the sideplates' rear inletting, ala Smith. Didn't see much of anything. Also expected the need to replace an occasional spring. -Haven't had to do that, ever. Never really had a problem with a Lefever double trigger, or safety not traceable to disassembly/reassembly work, or terribly saturated wood. For that matter, too, can't recall a problem with a loose forearm, etc.
I like Parkers, too, and have many apart that seemed solid, only to sometimes discover a free-floating piece of inletted action wood that required attention. Can't recall this yet in a Lefever, unless there was clear evidence of some form of accident.
I guess this post is ment as a kind of personal belated acknowlegment of a fundamentally excellent product, upon original factory delivery. One good enough so as to not require me to use any of the wear compensating features I know I still have as back-ups.
