One of very few - Ithaca Lefever Model 4

[Cold Spring]

Merry Chirstmas everyone!

I'd like to introduce my 12-gauge Lefever Nitro Model 4. I have only one pic on my phone and it's tough to take good ones outside right now with the snow cover. Briefly, it's called the Lefever Double Barrel Vent Rib Trap Gun. First ones were shipped in November 1929 (bad timing with the start of the Depression) and it only lasted a few years in that economy. Made with a special high-topped frame to transition to a flat and wide vent rib. Only 203 guns were made with 32-inch barrels and 37 with 30's. Mine is a 32 with double triggers. Ithaca also promoted them for long range waterfowl hunting and they had overbored barrels and super tight chokes (~50 thou) like the Super-Fox. Walt Snyder has an article on them titled The Elusive Ithaca in the Spring 2012 DGJ if you have that issue. I found this one in September. At some point I might do an article comparing the Lefever against the other special long range duck guns.

Here she is below a special "Super Twelve" Fox A with 32-inch/1-weight barrels and factory 3-inch chambers. That Hawkins pad was standard on the Model 4.

[charlie cleveland]

my first time to hear of this gun...looks like a good turkey and duck gun to me..i bet with that .50 thousand choke those patterns should be really tight...i love hearing about any long range gun....when you pattern the gun please tell us how she does on paper...look out ducks.... charlie

[StubTwist]

I learned something new today. First I have heard of this grade. It looks like it has some sweet condition too Frank. Awesome gun. Straight stock and long barrels are just plain sexy.

[John Davis]

I'd like to try her out on the trap field.

[Bill Murphy]

Very similar to the Iver Johnson Super Trap, but much less common. Great gun, Frank.

[B. Dudley]

A very unique ithaca for sure. I scored one a couple years back in a sleeper gunbroker auction for very cheap. If it were not for that article of Walts, I would not have known what it was.

[Cold Spring]

Thanks everyone. To answer some questions: The Lefever Model 4's bores mike at .738 and .739" diameters and chokes 49 and 50 points of constriction. Chambers 2-7/8"

[Reggie B]

Frank that Fox sure looks like a beauty of a shotgun!

[Cold Spring]

Good eye Reggie, that straight grip Fox was made in mid-1923 for a gent who lived in the outskirts of Philly and rubbed elbows with AH Fox plant personalities. Its 2nd gen A Grade engraving is exceptionally well executed and with full coverage line graver embellishments inside the scrolls and their backgrounds. Never saw that before.

[B. Dudley]

The frames on these guns are unique to this model entirely. As the top of it is very high to accommodate the vent rib.
So, the barrels do not interchange with a normal Ithaca Lefever of any other model.
And to my knowledge, this is the only one, other than the single barrels, to offer a vent rib.