doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Dyslexic serial number from Lefever?

Hey folks, I was looking at a Lefever H grade today and the bbls have two different serial numbers on them with the last two digits being reversed on the one that does not match the rest of the gun.

Also, the owner says it has ejectors, but if it did it would have an E after the H correct?

Guesses as to why the digits on the serial number are reversed? Also, would it normally have a serial number on each bbl?




Thanks,
Shane

Here is the forearm if it helps with the ejector question.

Nope, no "E" after the H.

Proves that guns had a lot of handwork put in them back then. Just imagine the look on the guy's face when he figured out he had transposed two numbers in the serial - a century or so ago.

Best,

Mike

Does it also seem to be a different font and quality of stamping? And can anyone with a lefever handy tell me if there are usually numbers on both bbls?

This is not an ejector gun. The ejector system on this era gun would be incorporated into the frame.

Thanks TB. I figured as much since there was no E stamped on the frame.

So this is a later model H grade correct? I has no engraving on the side plates besides "Lefever Arms Co."

It is a nice gun and if I can get it right, I'll likely buy it with the idea of reselling it if I am not in love with it (I prefer 28" bbls and this one has 30" bbls) The bbl finish is pretty even with what is seen here and there are even traces of case coloring left on the side plates.

Still boggled by the serial number snafu though. ha!

Thanks,
Shane

Shane no production information for Lefever guns remains but by extrapolation this gun was made about 1904. The twist barrels show plenty of contrast and there are good colors remaining on the water table so I would say it has seen realativley light use and has been pretty well cared for. If you can get it right go for it. You will not be able to use "modern" high pressure loads but companies like RST make low pressure ammunition suitable for damascus and twist barrls that are effective for clay target shooting and upland gamebirds.

I had a G that had barrels with different serial numbers. The best guess was that it had been sent back to have one barrel replaced. Yours appears to be a simple mix-up at the factory. Without the factory records, we will never be sure.




Pete

Although Lefever guns with ejectors were cataloged with an E following the grade as HE, they were not normally marked that way on the gun itself. You cannot look at the forend on a Lefever from the inframe ejector period & say whether it has ejectors or not.
However as TwiceBarrel said this one doesn't, if it did you could see the hammers in the action flats.

Thanks guys. Interesting to think there could be a mistake like that in serial numbers. Just another pretty amazing reminder that these guns are truly hand made works.

Thanks again TB, I already by shells by the truck load from Polywad for my other double guns (Fox, Ithaca, AJ Aubrey) so I already have appropriate shells on hand, and it'll be checked by a smith before firing of course.

So, I was a little surprised to see some of the auction prices on these guns, they seem to be selling below book? I think I can buy this one at about 60% of book value, about $600 or so.