Lefever 16ga DS parts

[Jreed]

Im doing some repairs on a family heirloom shotgun. Its a Lefever 16ga DS grade. It is in very rough shape, but was my grandfather's bird gun and my dad has asked if I could fix it up so my son could hunt with it. I have it completely disassembled and started assessing what it needs. What I'm in need of is a top lever spring and the cocking hook. I have found a cocking hook on Numrichs, but not sure if they were different sizes according to the guage. I would assume so. No luck with a top lever spring. Does anyone here have any leads where I may find parts for this gun? I may end up having to make these parts myself if unavailable.
-John

[James Brad Rhodenizer]

Ebay has lots of Lefever parts.

[Jreed]

Originally Posted by James Rhodenizer

Ebay has lots of Lefever parts.

I looked on ebay, but couldn't find what I needed and wasn't sure if the 16ga were built on the 20ga frame or not. I figured they are but wasn't sure.
-John

[Harold Pickens]

16 ga and 20 were made on the same frame, marked xx. There was a difference in hook size used on later guns. Surely one of the Lefever guys will comment. You can also go to the Lefever Arms Collectors Association, LACA, and there are very knowledgeable people there.

[Jreed]

Thanks Harold!

[Cold Spring]

Weak top lever springs seem a common problem with Syracuse Lefevers. To be sure most will lock up and fire OK using moderate recoil loads but a weak TL spring doesn't give me much confidence. I've modified V springs sourced from other vintage guns and replaced them myself, and that's not beyond the capability of most mechanically minded gents. But sorry I don't have any pics or dimensional sketches. Basically I just carefully ground the replacement to duplicate the original spring.