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Semi-pistol would have a round knob, no grip cap.

Craig

Craig with all the confusion about the barrel material etc. I would really like to hear form the owner, after all one mans semi pistol grip is another mans "Prince of Wales". If this gun truly has a round knob grip then I think it can pretty accurately identified as a DS or I grade that didn't get the grade stamp. If on the other hand it has a capped grip I think we can be pretty sure that with twist barrels and dolls head barrel extension it is an H grade that was improperly assembled without cocking indicators unless of course this is a "Lunch Box" gun then all bets are off.

With Lefevers I am not sure you can without totally examining the the gun in detail! I bought an I grade with in frame ejectors,that the seller was sure was a DSE. You never know!

Craig

Miller, the sideplates are bare except for Lefever Arms Co. stamp. I had also assumed this was a later Ithaca assembled gun, although the serial number precedes many "normal" fluid steel non-dolls head DS grades. TwiceBarrel, only the later boxlock crossbolt D. M. Lefevers' had a capped semi-pistol grip available. I am of the impression that semi-pistol grip and Prince of Wales grip are different terms for the same thing. That is what this gun has. No grip cap. However, it would not surprise me if there was an original sideplate gun that was ordered with a capped semi-pistol grip. Craig, I'm wondering if your I grade ejector gun has more than one serial no. on the underside of the barrels. This would indicate that it was likely originally an extractor gun that was sent back to the factory and fitted with ejectors.

keith, no my IE is not double stamped, which would indicate a later factory install, everything is original matching!

Craig

Grips were offered in "4" styles on Lefever guns. Most commonly seen is the one they referred to as "Full Pistol", probably 2nd most often seen is the uncapped "Semi-Pistol" grip as available on the I/DS grades. 3rd is the Straight Grip & last is the "Capped Semi-Pistol". All grades except the I/Ds was available in all 4 styles. The I/DS was cataloged only with the uncapped Semi-Pistol. A picture of a capped Semi-Pistol grip is shown on page 136 of Bob Elliots book on an early G grade. These are not real common, but do exist. Some of the early catalogs only list the Full Pistol & I believe most guns grade H & up were put up this way for inventory, with the other options being available on order.

I also have an I with ejectors. #43961. No indication they were not done at the time of the original build. Although DS or I with ejectors were not a catalog item, I think these two guns are just further proof of the saying that Lefever would build what ever the customer ordered.

1913 Lefever Arms Co catalog page 23;
DS Grade
$37
DSE Grade
List $52 With Automatic Shell Ejector

Page 31
Price of Lefever Single Trigger fitted to ""ANY"" new gun, $25.00 net.

The DS was definitely cataloged with an ejector offering. I do not believe the I was ever actually listed in a LAC catalog, but was apparently sold throuh other distributors, such as SD&G. One might assume the I was available with essentially the same options as the DS.

It is also noted in this same catalog under stock options for all grades higher than the I/DS they are listed as Straight, One-Half or Full-Pistol Grip, with "Mat'l" cap. "Mat'l" varying from hard rupper to Horn dependant upon grade. DS is listed as Half Pistol Grip only (No cap mentioned). Would seem that the seldom seen half-grip on grades above the DS would have commonly been equipped with that little domed cap of mat'l appropriate to grade.

Terry, interesting, mine is #50238. Both the 1911 and 1913 catalogs show DS available with ejectors, but have never seen a Lefever catalog that even lists the I grade. The Schoverling, Daly & Gales 1903 does mention the I, but without ejectors.
Lefever was definately customer driven!

Craig