Another Basket Case

[Keith Bedard]

Thanks Edgar for posting those pictures. It is disappointing to me that i didnt take before pictures. I cant even begin to tell you how nice Edgar was being when he called it a basket case. I never dreamed this gun would ever amount to much. It was in the basement of my parents house and I used to look at it leaned up in the corner. The wood was black, there were two plates of thick steel with holes drilled right through the stock with bolts through it. Then someone, probably my grandfather wrapped it with what looked similar to electrical tape so the wrist was really fat. the rest of the gun was just covered in the nastiest oil. You couldnt see any detail in the gun other than the huge dent in the left barrel. I could not be more proud of this gun. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner as this was my dads fathers gun and he passed away last year. I wish he could see it now.

[Bill Murphy]

Dean, yup, it's an opener that precedes the pivot lever Lefever opener. They could have left it alone, in my opinion. I know you like light bird guns and you seem to be interested in Lefevers. Look at gunbroker.com item number 328511577 before they erase it. It is one of the first two or three Lefever hammerless 16s, has the push lever, and well worth a look. I wonder who got lucky? By the way, it weighs 6 pounds, 5 ounces and is loaded up with color.

[edgarspencer]

Keith had done some research on Nichols and Lefever prior to getting the gun back from Brad. It appears the association was short lived, 1873-1876. This predates the practice of choke boring and the uncut barrels have no choke. I'm hoping Keith will bring it to Addieville. Maxi-Lites are just what the doctor ordered.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Dean, yup, it's an opener that precedes the pivot lever Lefever opener. They could have left it alone, in my opinion. I know you like light bird guns and you seem to be interested in Lefevers. Look at gunbroker.com item number 328511577 before they erase it. It is one of the first two or three Lefever hammerless 16s, has the push lever, and well worth a look. I wonder who got lucky? By the way, it weighs 6 pounds, 5 ounces and is loaded up with color.

Bill, what a sweetheart that one is! Not knowing a whole lot about the values of LeFevers I probably would have paid more than that. Thank you for pointing me to it.

[Bill Murphy]

I will correct my description and say that it is probably one of the first two or three "self cocking hammerless" Lefever 16 gauges. From what I have been told, there are side lever cocking 16 gauges, but I don't know how many. I have not seen one of these. Whatever, it is one nice 127 year old bird gun.

[chris dawe]

I have to agree Mr.Murphy they made some fine bird guns,I have a real soft spot for Lefevers as well.But they're so rare up here I very rarely get to see one... but a friend of mine just brought in another G grade to my shop ,thinking my pivot G had the heaviest barrels I've ever seen was immediately put to rest after seeing his 32 inch 12 bore tubes with a min wall thickness at .68 and .111 plus muzzles !

Envy is a sin I know.