Eightbore, my guess is that’s about 2 straight grips of 30 8 bores (Still well over the 1 percent mark!)
In retrospect, I'd have to concede that my estimate of less than 1 percent of production for straight grip Lefevers is probably incorrect. 1 percent would be only roughly 600 guns total. But based upon my observations from many years of looking at Lefever listings on various Auction and Dealer websites, I'd be quite confident in saying that no more than 5 percent were built as straight grip guns.
In addition to that, I'd add the fact that there absolutely were variations in checkering patterns, flutes at the nose of the comb,, etc. I seriously fail to see how altering or totally removing a pistol grip or semi-pistol grip could conceivably change the height or dimensions of the comb nose. I did notice it seemed unusually high in the auction photos, but that does not confirm that the stock is non-original. The long tang H grade I own that has very little drop is definitely original, but also quite unconventional in stock dimensions. It is also very nicely figured wood compared to the average H grade. My guess is that the original owner ordered it with very high DAH and DAC dimensions, and quite possibly requested nicer wood too. Lefever accomodated special orders and requests.
Speaking of off the wall non-standard Lefever guns... The I grade was supposed to be made in 12 gauge only. But I know of four in 16 gauge. I own two of them, and one of mine also has automatic ejectors. And the H grade was supposed to be built in 20, 16, and 12 gauge only. But I have one that is a 10 gauge. I have never heard of or seen another 10 gauge H grade. So when Ky jon says he has an original short tang straight grip Lefever, I can easily believe him. Lefever didn't build cookie-cutter guns. There are lots of unusual variations that many people incorrectly attribute to the relatively few that were assembled by Ithaca Gun Co. after the sale.
