Today a gentleman forwarded photos of a very unusual gun to my attention. The gun is in every external respect (photos did not show gun opened) an early LeFever "push-opener" to include relieft carved fluer-di-lis breech balls, cocking indicators, stepped side-plates, ivory stock insets, the various early adjustment screws, push-button fore arm release, and beautiful game scene, sroll, and border engravings equal to at least "B" and probably "A" quality (maybe higher). The photos seen did not include all portions of the frame; and although I saw no gold inlays, the pistol grip does appear to be gold-capped. The most unusual aspect of the gun however, was not the features of the gun itself; but rather the name engraved on each lockplate, "J A Prechtel". Now I know that I have heard or seen that name somewhere; but exactly where, and the significance, escapes me at the moment. What are your thoughts, and how would J A Prechtel be connected to what is obviously a LeFever gun without the LeFever name? By the way, this gun has no serial number, no patent date/s, and no grade mark. I would be happy to post photos, if I knew how; so if someone will mail me directly, I'll be glad to send them the photos for posting.
Tom
