Lefever Question

[Jack Cronkhite]

I saw a couple online and there was a letter after the serial numbers. One had H and the other DS. What is significance of the letters?? Thanks

[Brian Dudley]

Grades. DS is the Dursten Special which was a field offering. And the H was essentially a grade 1.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Thanks Brian. The H pics showed a fairly well used gun. The DS pics showed a better condition gun with a straight stock.

[Michael Kitterman]

Also the H is a side lock and the DS is just a side plate.

[Brian Dudley]

Also the H is a side lock and the DS is just a side plate.

Not correct.
They are all sideplate guns.

You likely are referring to the fact that an H grade would have cocking indicators and a DS would not. The internal mechanics are the same.

[Rick Losey]

Thanks Brian. The H pics showed a fairly well used gun. The DS pics showed a better condition gun with a straight stock.

I believe the DS was only offered as a "half pistol grip"

they gave a lot of gun as a base grade - European walnut, same internals as Brian said- nice "modern" dimensions - my DS is a 16 on a 20 gauge frame - it handles nice

[Jack Cronkhite]

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=185&pictureid=13284

Stock in question

[Brian Dudley]

That gun has been restocked. Forend too. The comb style and shaping of the cheeks are not correct for the grade. Also, notice the high grade checkering. It appears to be done decently. But it is just one photo that is not all that clear.

I have seen legitimate DS grades with straight grips. But they are very rare.

[Jack Cronkhite]

If a guy wants originality then this DS is a pass. The H is a pass too as the barrels are said to be shortened to 24” leaving chokes of C and IC. The barrels are described as Damascus but they are actually twist steel. I don’t know Lefevers and I don’t really need to get to know them so why was I looking? Is Parkeritis subject to mutation? I think I know the answer based on other makes that found their way into my life. And to think it all started with a family VH in need of some TLC. :)

[Jack Cronkhite]

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=185&pictureid=13285

No letter after serial number. What grade then?

[Brian Dudley]

That one is a nitro special by Ithaca. Also refinished. Checkering not correct and frame should be case colored.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Well I’m getting an education this morning. Gun listed as a Lefever so incorrect then? Should stick with Parkers. At least I know what they look like.

[Rick Losey]

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=185&pictureid=13285

No letter after serial number. What grade then?

that is an Ithaca lefever nitro - inexpensive box lock made by Ithaca after they acquired the name

absolutely no relation to real Lefevers

[John Davis]

But they make good shooters.

[Bob Decker]

The Lefever Nitro series is an Ithaca Gun Co. designed and manufactured product. Ithaca bought out the Lefever Arms Co. in 1916. They put together a few original Lefever guns from parts left over. In 1921 they introduced the Nitro Special which was of their design. It was a well built but relatively inexpensive gun which was marketed using the famous Lefever name.

[Mike Koneski]

But they make good shooters.

Ithaca guns make EXCELLENT shooters.