Exactly right Miller. Both Barber&Lefever and Nichols&Lefever guns used sideplates with the same shape used on this gun. And it is certainly much more likely that Dan Lefever had a frame forging and unfinished sideplates from the later partnership with John Nichols laying around, to utilize for a prototype of a new cocking system.
It's pretty cool that after all this time, there are still things to learn about Lefever guns that even the most advanced collectors haven't seen before. Personally, I'd think about eventually ditching the present buttstock on this gun. Considering the workmanship on the outside, I can't imagine that the inletting is any better. This one is worth trying to make as original as possible, in my opinion.
