New member & a 12ga GH

Sara LeFever · 02-08-2018, 05:49 PM

Hi all!

I joined in August, when I had a Parker come rather unexpectedly into my life. My mother stumbled upon it while cleaning out my grandmother's closet. We knew there was a Parker gun in the family, but had no idea where it was, until then. My grandfather had probably placed it in the closet in the 2000s, before he passed away. The family story is that my great-grandfather won it in a card game (I would say some time after 1910).

The gun is a 12 gauge GH. I obtained the research letter, and it was ordered by the Salem G. Le Valley Co. of Buffalo, NY on June 20, 1899, shipped on August 12, 1899. Ordered with Damascus steel barrels with a length of 30 inches, straight grip. Requested weight 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Order placed by S.A. Tucker (from some internet searching, I believe he was a shooter and representative/salesman for Parker). Price was $80.00.

I shot trap with the gun twice last Fall, and everything is in working order. I have attached a few photos from the day we found it. I was going to try and take better ones today, but not having much luck with lighting (February in western NY...)

--Sara
(And if anyone is wondering about my last name - I am the great-great-great granddaughter of Daniel "Uncle Dan" LeFever, and I usually shoot a Lefever 12 gauge H grade

).

Daniel G Rainey · 02-08-2018, 05:57 PM

Nice gun, great story !

OH Osthaus · 02-08-2018, 08:27 PM

welcome Sara,

western ny's diffused sunlight is great for taking pictures - as long as your finger doesn't freeze to the shutter button

nice family story, and when you get the chance - post some pictures of your name sake gun. you'll find a few fans of those here as well

Garth Gustafson · 02-08-2018, 08:30 PM

Welcome Sara! You have shotguns in your blood. Congratulations on that nice find. We all dream about finding a Parker in a closet. There are quite a few LeFever fans on this site, you'll feel quite at home.

Sara LeFever · 02-08-2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Losey

when you get the chance - post some pictures of your name sake gun. you'll find a few fans of those here as well

Thanks for the welcome!

Of course, I look back and realize I do not have many photos of my Lefever! The first photo is when I first received it, and the second is next to the Parker. Brian Dudley refinished and recheckered the stock on my Lefever during the time between the two photos, so there is a big difference. He did an awesome job.

Mills · 02-08-2018, 10:18 PM

Welcome to PGCA Sarah! I am a member of the Lefever Collectors too.

StubTwist · 02-08-2018, 11:38 PM

Great story Sara. I wish I could find a Parker hidden in the attic or chicken coop....

I'm a Lefever fan too. My go to gun is also a H grade.

Double Lab · 02-09-2018, 08:51 AM

Welcome Sara. I came into the Lefever game just recently as a member and by scoring a sweet little H grade 20. A straight grip GH is a great find.
Please consider joining us in June at Hausmann's Hidden Hollow for the Fox/Lefever challenge. Your H grade would be perfect and besides I don't think we have ever had a lady shoot the challenge.

Randy Roberts · 02-09-2018, 08:59 AM

Nice gun Sara, great story line as well. Bring it to Sanford this spring with the Lefever of course. Lots of things to be learned and shot there. Best of luck with it.

Sara LeFever · 02-09-2018, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

Please consider joining us in June at Hausmann's Hidden Hollow for the Fox/Lefever challenge. Your H grade would be perfect and besides I don't think we have ever had a lady shoot the challenge.

Thank you for the welcome! I have been to the Northeast a handful of times, and usually shoot with some of the Lefever guys. I'm planning on being there this year too. I just started shooting in 2013, and have not done much, so I'm not very good at it. Maybe someday!