doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com President Benjamin Harrison's Optimus Grade

I am trying to do some research on A.E. Spangler and his brother Wilton, engravers for both Lefever and L.C. Smith shotguns and possibly others. I am not sure which one is the better engraver, but his dogs have no equal.
On the Optimus Grade mentioned above, it is signed Spangler sc on the side lock plate.

If anyone has a picture of this gun and a link to it, as I haven't found one, I would appreciate it.
The only reference and small picture I have is in the book "Steel Canvas" by R.L. Wilson and in enlarging it, the resolution is lost.

Dr. Rober Decker was kind enough to send me some close-up pictures of his high grade Lefevers with Jacob Glahn's engraving and signature, but did not have any with Spangler.

Thanks.

I left this out, but Spangler/s did most of the engraving on the early Baker-Smith guns from 1880-1884

David, interesting on the Spangler-Baker-Smith connection. Any pictures of same ? Daryl

Daryl, here is one, Quality 5, the highest grade made then in a Drilling.
This was sold at a James Julia auction in Oct. 2008, and does not have the Spangler signature, but has his dogs.



You could probably count on one hand how many of these were made. Cost then $200.00 in 1880 to 1884.

David, thanks. That makes that gun beautiful.

Who most likely did this Baker?

Keith Kearcher had a presidental Lefever and it is pictured in a back issue of DGJ.Bobby

Do you remember which issue?

Bob,

The September-October 2000 issue of the LACA newsletter (produced by member Jeff Steinhour) has a section on the Benjamin Harrison Lefever, described as an Optimus grade, 12 gauge, SN 10784, presented to Harrison by a group of grateful businessmen for supporting protectionist trade policies. The gun reportedly features a gold inlaid eagle on the trigger guard with a banner in its mouth inscribed with the phrase "Protection of American Industry", as well as gold-inlaid letters "BH" on the forend release button. The engraving is reportedly signed by Spangler. One gun collector-researcher (David Noreen), according to Jeff's article, noted that in 1960 the Benjamin Harrison Lefever was for sale for $750!!! I don't have a clue where this wonderful Lefever is now.

Mike and Walter, I can not say for sure as I do not have a picture of the Spangler engraved Optimus gun made for President Harrison. Once we have a good picture it should be easy to compare other guns engraving. His dogs were described as almost life like.

DrBob has a few Lefevers done by Glahn that are signed, and with his permission, I will post them for comparison.

Mike's looks more to me like Glahn's, and Walter's is tough to say, but they are nice dogs.

I had taken a high resolution picture of the picture in "Steel Canvas" (I hope I didn't do anything unlawful). As you can see the resoulution is not good. The picture in the book was only maybe 2"x 3". I believe Spangler signature is under the pointer's legs.

David, you certainly have my permission to reproduce any of the photos I sent to you. In one of your emails you had a kind of cryptic message that some Spanglers were signed if you knew what to look for. I sure would like to know what to look for.