You are 100% right about the sidelock ?? re: Your fine LeFevers-- the absence of the various pins (as you can see from looking at the lockplates of an LC Smith, Purdey, etc-- are the "give-away". The lads on the LeFever site can help you more than I can, but IMO- the first series LeFevers as are yours are sideplated boxlock doubles- as the tumblers (hammers) mainsprings, sears and axles are NOT attached to the inside of the plates- Very nice work by Mr. Kearcher- he has an excellent reputation indeed.
OT perhaps- but I find it a bit interesting that the two longest in production American doubles- regardless of type- were under the aegis of solid businessmen- Charles Parker and Lyman Smith- they both hired first rate designers ( C.A. King for Parker- Wm. Baker for Smith- also Ithaca) and the two other really fine American doubles- LeFever and AH fox- were developed by men, who- if I have my history in proper perspective- were NOT good businessmen- Dan LeFever and Ansley Fox--
I can see I'm going to have to look you up and do a "pawn shop recon' together- the $600 is a bargain-- I only owned one sideplated leFever-a 20 bore DS- best grouse gun I have ever shot- like a fool I let a hunting partner talk me out of it- we live LEARN (SOMETIMES)!!!
