Thanks for the good cheer, all.
The Lefever thumbpush C grade s/n 97XX came with two sets of barrels, one of which, thanks to clarifying comments from here on the Board, was at one point likely an E-grade. It is shorter and more open choked. Cartridges are cut down primed Federal 3-1/2" hulls loaded with Longshot, overpowder card, cork and then an SP-10 with 1-1/4 oz. of Bismuth with 28 grains of buffer in the shot cup. Use a roll crimp to close over the overshot card.
Brilliant calling from Greg Cole brought the Canadas in to land where we dropped them within 38 yards of the blind. Must confess to missing one or two, as well. Was way too warm, almost 50 degrees, but overcast and a very occasional shower had geese on the move. They've just come into the Eastern Shore in large numbers beginning last Saturday (!) very late in the year.
Hunted the huns over Greg's active but brilliantly obedient to command dogs. Enough moisture for good scent. The Dicksons, at 6lbs and 4 oz, are magic wands.
About five years ago I'd added new barrels (not from Dick$on); guns are s/n 51XX of 1899, and 52XX of 1900. Wanted new barrels for practice at skeet/sporting clays and to use in the field. Made sure the new steel barrels had 2-3/4 inch chambers and generally use Win AA with 1 oz of #7-1/2 or 8 shot.
The original 2-1/2 inch-chambered Damascus barrels are still in proof, but riveled and have places where polishing has been done. I took the guns to Dickson in 1986 to be refinished and Damascus barrels rebrowned.
Have the double case and the papers from the original owner, including import papers to South Africa where I acquired them in 1985. One of his heirs likely added the wood extension to gun 51XX. Nephew needed that removable rubber pad to get decent length of pull and to soften the more-than-occasional misjudgment on gun mounting :-)
Very Best of the Season to All,
Tim
