This Early thumb-opening Lefever is a special order gun that is labeled as a B grade, but possesses many attributes that are far above "typical" B quality.
It is a 12g. 2 barrel set that is a Small Hook cocking gun, but it started life as a Cocking rod gun. At some point it was sent back to Lefever and the cocking mechanism was upgraded, and the second barrel set added. Something else odd about that time is that the gun was actually re-serial numbered. To a number that was about 2,000 numbers later than the original number. The outside of the gun bears only one number, but the insides of the gun have both numbers stamped on them. Anyway, just interesting information... The owner of this gun may well write a LACA newsletter article on it, so those who are LACA members, can read his thoughts on the gun.
The gun came to me missing it's horn forend tip completely and the void was filled in with sawdust and glue. The wood finish was nearly gone and the checkering pretty much worn smooth. The original leather faced silvers pad was falling apart. The purpose of my work on it was to repair any glaring issues with it mechanically/cosmetically and to put a few years back on the gun, but maintain a used look that was overall fitting of the condition of the metal.
There was some damage to the edge of the inletting for the horn forend tip that had to be patched before a new horn tip could be custom shaped to fit the existing inletting in the forend. Once fitted and installed, the tip could be shaped and profiled in the proper style.
The wood was all de-oiled and fresh finish was applied but all marks of age and use retained. The checkering was then fully recut on the wrist and forend. 26 lines per inch on the wrists. 26 and 32 lines per inch on the forend.
Ultrasonic cleaning of the action did good for the engraving on the action. The pointer on the one lock plate is fantastic! Before assembly, a broken firing pin had to be replaced and a new set screw for it made. Finally a new silvers pad was installed and a leather face put on it as the original pad had.
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A few photos of the forend tip repair.
The right side lower side of the inletting was completely broken out. A wood patch has already been installed.
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