2-piper
Lefevers were so much an evolving concern that they have something for everyone. I guess that I like the guns made in the late 1880's to maybe middle 1890's. Hard to put an exact date because Lefevers seem to have so many exception to the rule by serial numbers that you just never know what you will see based on serial numbers alone. Keeps them interesting I think.
Looked at a B grade extractor, thumb push recently. Made 1890 by serial number. Almost bought it and still might. The hold up is that it is a real money pit. Rare to see a high grade gun that has suffered so much use, wear and abuse. Not hopeless, but certain to take a year to redo and a medium pile of money. Problem is that the seller was not any where near to a realistic price for the gun. His price was for what should be a 80% gun, not the 10-20% gun he has. I have not given up on the gun, because the number are against me. Total production of maybe 1,100 and I suspect a small number of these were thumb openers. Sure I might see another, but the price will be just as high or higher. But this is such a money pit that I just have not pulled the trigger.
Bores were heavily pitted so the barrels needed to be Teaguled. All metal needed to be redone and the engraving would have to be picked up. Barrels would need to be refinished, reblue and recolor the rest. Stock was very low so I would have to have it bent, steamed to raise most of the dents and then refinished. In short a total rebuild the hard way, using my money instead of my time.
