A Bit of a Poll
 

To set the stage as it were. Your gun safes are full, you have every Parker you ever wanted and thought you might ever want. So, not wanting to give up the thrill of the chase, your considering which other gunmaker to hoard examples of their trade.

The field has been narrowed down to Fox, Lefever and L.C. Smith. Using all the ingredients that are important to you, the collector/hunter/shooter, how would you rate the three to make you choose one over the other?

Thought this would be interesting to see how other folks thougth about those gunmakers.

Lefever, fox, Smith in that order. Dont really have a reason, although fewer Lefevers made. I have 6 Foxes and 2 Lefevers. Like Fox, Lefever went thru alot of hands, so one could really sub-specialize. Dont have any Smith's, although I did trade one on a GH 16 Parker.

I have them all!

LC Smith made the most vintage guns although a high percentage of those were 0 Grade or after 1912 the Field Grade. Buy a Smith because you love it as I do a few of mine. They are a sidelock gun and while not exactly like their English cousins, many do handle well. Don't believe me, just ask any of our Parker Team shooters as they face off against the squad of LC Smith shooters!

Lefevers changed a lot during production. If you don't believe me ask Brad Bachelder of any competent doublegun smith. Different ejector systems, different top lever systems, and so on. What year was that Lefever made? Well then it should be either this or that... But hey, I love the half dozen Lefevers that I own because each is unique in its own way!

Then there are the AH Fox guns. Ansley Herman Fox was a famous pigeon and later trap shooter. He designed his guns as if he were to use each and every one in the pigeon ring! I love my Fox guns from the 20 gauge Sterlingworth to the big HE Super Foxes!

Then there are those fine English guns... Somebody please stop me!

Happiness is a fine dog at my side and a fine double in my hands!
Mark

Yep, Mark said it better than me--and shoots alot better than me too!!

Nope, I do not shoot better that you. I just shoot bigger guns... :rotf:

Mark

I have some of each as well. Smith and Lefever would tie for first just because both can be had in the 10 gauge and dare I say it the 8 gauge . Now with that being said I have several nice old Fox guns that I like especially my 1930 A Grade 16 gauge .

it would be hard for me to choose between a lefever and a lc smith...i like and own both guns..would like to have a big fox or a little 20 but for some reason have never owned one...but i would probablt take a 8 ga lefever over a lc smith 8 and i do nt know why...charlie

I'd take whichever was in better shape I think and hope I could steal the other later :rotf:

Charlie id love to have a westley Richards droplock 8 ga, they still build them in fact they still build shotguns up to a sxs 4 ga ! over 100k us dollars of course . Imagine though the options if you had the money .
Ive always liked W.Richards anyhow

A lefever 7D or 8E boxlock in 16 gauge thank you very much.