It was made around 1903. There are no factory records, so that's just an estimate based on Bob Elliott's extrapolation. I have a straight grip FE. Lefever made a fair number of straight grip guns. What is more rare on a Lefever is the chain Damascus. Most of the Lefevers I have seen are crolle (fingerprint) Damascus. I have seen a couple of chain Damascus ones and a stars & stripes Damascus gun. Both of these are less common than crolle. In any case, you have a nice looking Lefever.
Richard,
Thanks for the comments. Did you notice the rib matting on my gun? I'm not sure I've seen another Lefever with that particular rib matting. The "checkered" sides are a bit different yes?? Would my Lefever have been a "trap" gun? It has twin Ivory beads and the stock dimensions are rather high for a Lefever, more like modern dimensions. Thanks..
Dustin
