Attached are photos of my "NEW/OLD" Lefever H Grade 12 gauge sidelock, restored by famed gunsmith Buck Hamlin of Pevely, MO. The serial number indicates it was made in 1898-9. It has the "Dog's Head" insert in the forearm. It has the engraved "Fancy Scroll Circle" on both sideplates (a sometimes thing on H Grades). And it has a large safety, different from some other Lefever's. The 30" Damascus/Twist barrels were FULL & FULL, but have recently been opened to MOD and IC, for bird hunting.
The highly figured walnut stock and forearm are is Hamlin replacements. As is the Pachmayer rubber buttpad.
The serial number is 27296, indicates a probable manufacture date of 1898-9. What is especially interesting is the the serial number on the barrel, handguard, and water table all appear to have a "strikeover" on the "7" digit. I presume that was some type of factory error correction, long ago.
Next month, this 130 year-old Lefever shotgun will journey to South Dakota to hunt wild pheasant. Here are a few photos....
https://i.imgur.com/E6QAbcc.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/izIWq0q.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/EnVqHgw.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/vsxhY5n.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/L5z0opL.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/R6DqW0i.jpg
