A restored Lefever H grade 16
 

I just wrapped this one up and wanted to share it with you guys who appreciate Lefever guns as well.

This is a later production fluid steel barreled H grade 16g. that I just completed a full restoration on. The owner had two lefevers that he was considering restoration of and this one was his choice because he preferred the 16g. over a 12g. Even though the 12g. he had was more desirable from a grade and configuration standpoint (a Krupp barreled EE straight grip).

The gun was completely plumb patina to start with and had no real finish left on it. The buttstock was a total loss. Someone had cut the comb off to lower the drop by over a full inch and then added wood onto the bottom of the stock in order to still have a respectable sized butt for shouldering. It was pretty horrid looking to say the least. But, the gun was mostly all there and had decent bores and sound mechanics.

I made a new buttstock for it out of Circassian walnut selected from my inventory by the owner. Lefever put imported walnut on all of their guns, and though this one is a bit fancier than what would have been on most H grade guns, it certainly is attractive. New buttplate and grip cap were also installed to the new stock.
The original forend was able to be reworked and refinished to nicely blend in with the new butt. They were both oil finished to maximize figure and hand checkered in the original style and pattern.

The barrels were polished out and rust blued. The rest of the metalwork was also polished out, all screws on the gun were replaced new. The little engraving that the gun had was recut by Gournet. Parts that would have originally been blued got Nitre blued. The frame, lever and side plates were case colored. Case coloring was done by Justin Julian (Classic Case Colors LLC).

Much care as taken to ensure that the choices of finishes used on the gun were correct for this era of manufacture.
Enjoy here some photos of the end result. The photos of the wood in the sunlight real shows how striking the figure is in the stock.

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very nice

i really like the shots on your waistcoat

Nice job !

The wood sure does match and the wheat color on the frame bottom makes it look like the stock grew around it. I think it's awesome but then so are Lefevers.

best looking h grade i have ever seen...charlie

Stunning work Brian. Absolutely gorgeous.

Beautiful gun Brian, all around!

These are the type of postsI really enjoy. Might have to bring out my Old Lefever for another look over. Great work Brian.

Brian, that's just showing off...Great Job...Beautiful

You’re an amazing craftsman and artist, Brian!

Brain , just awesome !!!

Lovely work!

An example of true craftsmanship.

Thank you for sharing!

Looks awesome

Nice to see that the craftsmanship that existed at the time the gun was made is still alive and well today. Extraordinary work!

Great work Brian, you have the touch!

Stunning Brian

Amazing, nicely done!

Brian, great craftsmanship.

Great work Brian on that Lefever. I believe I own the brother 26" 16ga G grade.

Thanks for sharing that example of an original H with highly figured wood. They are out there.

Brian those are some of the best case colors I have seen done.