doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com New Lefever Thoughts

Did buy the 10 gauge Lefever C -grade (1886) that prompted the "Buying/Selling" thread earlier.

Now it's time for restoration. Keith Kearcher will do the two sets of Damascus barrels in black/white and perform the necessary wood work.

I've a question about a suitable buttplate. The gun is heavy enough that a pad is pointless. Eliot's book suggests that the B-grade at least could have a two-piece horn buttplate. I'd be grateful for Lefever fundi to chime in on this.

More serious is that the 28" set of barrels show wall thickness of only 25 thou at 12 inches from the muzzle. I shoot 12 bore guns with 25 thou barrels without hesitation, and ask advice from the 10 gaugers here. FWIW, Briley will not do 10-12 tubes, and I've an enquiry into Teague on relining the thin barrels, but that is likely to be large bucks even if they have finally started to do it. I'm tentatively planning to use gaugemates and lightish 12 gauge loads when I use those barrels.

Oh, and yes, photos will eventually be forthcoming!

Regards, Tim

I had a 12 gauge C grade (c. 1890) lined by Teague. Great job. About $2K total. The original butt plate was a thick bakolite monogram butt plate. Horn, or horn heel and toe, or steel heel and toe also strike me as authentic alternatives. I shoot a 10 gauge C grade, but it's a 10 pound gun & the barrels are massive & in great condition. Less pressure in a 10 ga. Your idea of chambermates sounds good. I've used them in my gun too. Good luck. Rich

Richard,
Thanks for the detail. I've emailed Teague that was to start relining 10 gauge this summer. Fortunately my Lefever weighs 8lbs 8 oz with the 30 inch barrels and 8 lbs 4 oz with the 28 inch. Unless I hear to the contrary, am leaning toward the monogram 10 gauge butt plate.
Regards, Tim

Tim, If you're interested in joining the Lefever Collectors Association, let me know. $25 per year, bi-monthly newsletter (i.e. 6 per year). Rich

Richard,
Please check your PM.
Regards, Tim

Got a reply from Nigel Teague. They are still only relining 12 and 16 gauge guns.

Regards, Tim

Tim, Nothing comes up in PM. Try RichardBrewster@nyc.rr.com

Tim
I have an original buttplate that is in very good original shape. I came off of my 12ga. gun when I put a wood extension and pad on my Lefever so I could shoot it. If you have any intrest in this buttplate let me know and I will send you measurments across the screw holes.
Regards, Gordon

CONGRATS ON THE 10 GAUGE LEFEVER. I THINK YOU WILL LOVE THE GUN. I OFFER TWO THOUGHTS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. #1. DON'T CHANGE THE OLD SHORT TEN TO 12 GAUGE. YOU CAN BUY BOTH LEAD AND BISMUTH FROM REPUBLIC CARTRIDGE CO. FURTHER, YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE GAUGE MATES AND SHOOT EITHER 12 OR 20 IN YOUR OLD SHORT TEN. FINALLY, #2. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE HEAVY BUT WELL BALANCED....I RECOMMEND A DECELERATOR PAD FOR COMFORTABLE SHOOTING! I HAVE BOTH OF MY SHORT TENS SO SETUP AND THEY ARE FUN TO SHOOT AND THROW WONDERFUL PATTERNS AT 35 TO 40 YARDS WITH #5 AND #6 SHOT. WITH SLIGHTLY HOTTER LOADS ( 4 1/2 DRAMS SWISS BP ) AND LOADED WITH 1 1/2 OZ. OF #2 AND #4 SHOT THEY ARE TRUE LONG RANGE SHOOTERS. ITEM LAST: SUGGEST YOU READ SHERMAN BELLS'S ARTICLES ADDRESSING LOADS FOR THE SHORT TEN AND LOADING SMOKELESS EQUIVALENTS THAT ARE SAFE....SEE DOUBLEGUN JOURNAL ARTICLES BY SHERMAN BELL. ENJOY YOUR OLD BEAUTY!
TOM

Tim
I have a 10 gauge 1878 Colt and I've been shooting Winchester AA Xtra-lites through it using 10-12 Gauge mates and am very pleased with the patterns I've been getting.
Steve