Well above in this thread, SDH asks about my attempts to return guns not only to pleasing appearance, but also to safe shooting condition - even though I don't think I've shot any of my guns or rifles in 30 years. I will continue in that practice as I just plain enjoy the process of finding interesting guns and helping them back to decent condition! The "clunker" Optimus Lefever from last year's Vegas show and Greg Martin auction was on a table for display at Vegas, and many favorable comments were made on Keith Kearcher's work and the gun's present state. Barrels are still too thin for prolonged use, but the Teague option is still under consideration.
The "to shoot or not" has gotten me another fine project! At the Vegas show, I was talking with a man (well known to this board) who admitted that a thin spot in one barrel of a high grade D. M. Lefever box lock gun worried him as a shooter. Since I don't have that problem, and because the gun in not really unsafe, but certainly should be treated with the utmost respect, it is now coming to my home to reside. This one would not lend itself to Teague's treatment as the bore is tapered from end to end, so that very unusual feature would be lost with their thin wall sleeves. Perhaps a removable insert barrel is the answer.
