doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Good O'le Uncle Dan

What an extraordinary gun.
"Uncle Dan" is being given kudos for the supurb workmanship. However, the serial number and patent date indicate this gun was produced after his demise and long after he left LAC. His design was essentially unchanged so he deserves credit for that, but this goes to prove that the LAC under the ownwership of the Durstons continued to make fine guns after Uncle Dan left.
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I really like the A grade guns. CJ, this one is marvelous!

Pete

I have examined one very closely. Truly unique design with high standard of worksmanship a gem of a gun.

the fit and finish of interior on the one i looked at f grade? if i remember correctly was first rate. i would say high grade sample is one of the best guns made anywere at that time.

Wonder if this set up for live birds- a gold pigeon is inset on the crown of the top lever- is the trigger selective or non-selective. Ejectors I assume. Is the safety a 3 position as on the early "Elsies"? What a stunning shotgun-Look at a recent DU magazine article (2007 Fall) by Ron Spoomer- on doubles- I believe he has a LeFever Optimus Grade shown- with teo purple shells adjacent, so I guess 16 bore. What a rare find, and with the proof barrels, shootable today with light loads. I found an older 12 G LeFever but with 30" Damascus barrels for sale at $500 range-stock had been shortened a bit- but the action was tight and smooth in opening and closing-Uncle Dan- he was "Da Man"

Claudio,
Please send it to me and I'll "properly" take care of it for you. Great gun, great find for you.
Chris

The vast majority of Lefevers came with a 3 position safety, even the field guns. Instead of the auto/manual set up ALA Elsie though they were auto/non. With the safety in the rear fire position there was a little screw in the tang which could be turned in to lock the safety in that position. It would not normally stay in the rear position when not locked out by the screw. I have seen one E grade which had no safety at all. There was no slot in the tang where one had ever been. Looked factory, if welded up they did a fantastic match. Unfortunately someone had ruined the beautifully figured straight grip stock by sanding it off the gun till all semblance of fit was destroyed. Ever corner had been rounded badly, then to compound the error they daubed it full of "Plastic Wood" or some such fill & not even a color match.

Although a product of a different company, I have a D M Lefever cross bolt gun also made without a safety. I assume it was intended for the pigeon ring.

In addition to "Pigeon Guns" I've seen and handled a few smallbore, open choked doubles without safeties. I think these were intended as "Plantation Quail Guns." They were carried empty in the saddle scabbard and only loaded after one dismounted to walk in for the flush.

Messrs. Holland and Purdey could hardly look down their noses at that. And it's a few grades from the top.