First Lefever

[Jay Oliver]

This is my first Lefever, a 12 Gauge grade G with 32” Damascus barrels choked F/F with 3” chambers. I bought it back in January and haven’t done anything with it as I wanted to get a few things fixed first. I am getting ready to send it in and I thought I would post a few pictures.

When I saw the beautiful original Damascus pattern under the forearm I decided I wanted to have the barrels refinished. Both beads are knocked off so I will get those replaced as well. The recoil pad and more frighteningly the instillation need to be corrected and replaced. I will put back a nice Silvers pad. The LOP is 13 ¾” now which I can live with. I'll have the stock refinished too.

I had been looking for a Lefever and when I came across a straight gripped one with 32” barrels I had to have it…

Looking forward to putting it back is service :)

[Jay Oliver]

Some more pictures...

[Jack Kuzepski]

That is a very nice find. I'm sure you're going to love that once you get it back.

Jack K

[Mills Morrison]

That is a great find and a great project too. Very nice gun! I have a 12 gauge I grade and an early F grade 16 gauge that is a "future project"

[Bill Murphy]

I would not be refinishing those star Damascus barrels.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

What a great gun! It looks like the PGCA has been hit with the "Lefever fever". Let's hope there is no cure.

[Dean Romig]

I've seen those Star Damascus barrels also called "American Flag Bunting"

They're awful nice! What a great gun.





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[Jay Oliver]

Thanks for all of the compliments. I really like this gun. I had always wanted that star/flag damascus as well. If the rest of the barrels looked as good as they do underneath the forend I wouldn't think of having them refinished.

Look at these barrels pictures. This my opinion...but refinished barrels so that the star pattern really "pops", then refinished wood and a nice period recoil pad and this would be something special(at least to me...)

I am impressed with the Lefever design as well. I might have to copy Mills and pick another one up in a 16 too :)

[Bruce Day]

You start looking at Lefever details and you can’t fail to be impressed. With this gun you have the adjustable hinge , adjustable forend , and lock off safety plus that fabulous American Flag Bunting Damascus.

The only problem with Lefevers is that not enough were made.

Nice gun. Enjoy.

[Frank Cronin]

Congrats on your first Lefever. I'd say you did really quite well. You don't see too many English grip Lefevers especially with pretty Damascus 32" barrels.

What is the LOP of this gun to the edge of the wood? On my computer it looks like the curve is still present at the end of the stock and someone added a pad and spacers to lengthen it. You might be able to put a repro LAC monogram butt plate on if the LOP is good enough for you.

[Bill Murphy]

Early Lefevers with original pads were usually installed on the curve, difficult as it is to do. However, it looks like this pad was installed with a hatchet and a belt sander. A wood refinish is probably in your future. What a great gun.

[Jay Oliver]

There does appear to still be a curve at the butt end of the stock. I think it may be to short to be original. The LOP is 12 1/2" to the end of the wood, 12 3/4" to the end of the spacer/buttplate and then 13 3/4" to the end of the pad. All measured from the front trigger. I really need at least 13 3/4" so a similar configuration with a new pad will work. The gun shoulders nice and feels good.

It is hard to believe how crudely the current pad was installed on such a nice gun. I'll get it fixed though...

[Rich Anderson]

Congrats on a nice gun. You have it all with the features this gun presents. Once your TLC touches are completed it will be the pride of your collection. I have one LeFever a straight grip 16 and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[Gerald McPherson]

Looks like you may be able to gain a quarter of an inch with a new pad.

[allen newell]

Jay, great find, great gun