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SCARCE SMALL BORE ANTIQUE LEFEVER ARMS CO. "EE"

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:875.00 USD Estimated At:1,750.00 - 3,500.00 USD
SCARCE SMALL BORE ANTIQUE LEFEVER ARMS CO.  EE
GRADE SHOTGUN "AS FOUND". Cal. 16 Ga., 2 1/2". S# 19887 (ca. 1896). Bbl. 28". Lefever Arms Co. made very few small bore guns. They were given a smaller frame denoted by 2 "x"s stamped on water table. This medium grade 16 Ga. example has 28" 3 stripe Damascus bbls. w/ usual matted concave rib w/ doll's head extension. Bbl. flats are unmarked, S# is on bottom of left bbl. followed by a small "x". No grade markings are present. Bbls. are fitted w/ early example of Lefever's famous in frame ejector system. Compensating small sized action has opposed hook cocking system & features automatic safety, cocking indicators, & nickel plated double triggers. Action engraved w/ sprays of very nicely cut scroll w/in line borders. Lockplates also have sprays of scroll which surround very nicely detailed dogs as usually found on Lefever guns, w/ a pointing setter on left plate & interesting rendition of pointing pointer on right which has just stepped off of a rock, his left leg is still on the rock. "Lefever Arms Co." is on each plate. There are no grade markings on water table, but this amount of engraving corresponds to that which is found on early "E" grades. Trigger guard has portrait of spaniel retrieving a duck on bow & S# on tang. Well streaked & lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14 3/8" over hard rubber "L.A.Co" logo buttplate. Point pattern checkering w/ beaded borders is at grip. Matching splinter forend w/ metal tip has usual friction release & circular hard rubber medallion at center embossed w/ spaniels portrait. MEASUREMENTS: BARRELS: Bore diameter: R .670 L .673. Restriction: R .004 (IC) L .039 (FULL). Min. Wall Thickness: R .026. L .029. STOCK: LOP: 14 3/8". DAC: 1 7/8". DAH: 3 1/4". Cast: Neutral. WEIGHT: 6 lb. 1 oz. CONDITION: very good to fine "as found". Bbls. retaining most of their original Damascus finish which has darkened and browned overall. Action has a considerable amount of case hardening color w/ some dark staining. Engraving sharp & clear. Stocks have over 60% of their original finish w/ numerous marks & bumps. Checkering lightly worn. Action is tight, bbls. are on face. Ejectors are in time. Bores are shiny w/ some scattered pitting, lightly frosted. A very presentable sm. bore Lefever. (01-18143/MGM38). ANTIQUE. $1,750-3,500.