doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Lefever original lower grade case coloring?

Does anyone have a color image example of an original lower grade Lefever case coloring you might share?

Thanks in advance.

Gary: lots of case color examples here but no Lefever. I'd sure like to add a 90% original colors Lefever is someone would post a pic!

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery.fcgi?p=999&gid=12588446

Gary,
From all my reading and Elliot's new book, I believe there was no difference in the CC by grade. Indeed, as one who does a fair amount of CC work, it is really an all or none proposition varying only in cyanide vice bone pack. Best, DR. Bill

Bill,

So if I'm understanding correctly, is the Lefever CC process easily reproducable by a good gunsmith who does this work and do you think there was even anything unique about the way Lefever CC was performed at the factory?

Gary,
I have 5 LeFevers in the shop right now for various refinishing projects. They range from the lowly DS up through 2 GE's, all pretty pedestrian as LeFevers go, but certainly where the bulk of production was. The CC on all of the is visible only in the protected areas. If I were to hazzard a guess as to the wood/bone charcoal mix/percentages-that is what determines which end of the color spectrum gets favored-I'd say Uncle Dan's folks used somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-20% bone charcoal to wood. To my eye and based on the ones I have inspected, Uncle Dan's color are/were closer to the Parker type than to the L.C. Smith variety. As to who can duplicate the original? Well ther are several commercial outfits that do quite well. Best. BILL

Something like this G grade? Silvers

GARY --- Dr. Bill is right re. the CC. Howevr , he didn't mention that he is capable of doing the work himself. My other choice would be Classic Guns Inc. in Beecher , Il. Dr. Bill is a full time builder/smith of who has years of experience under his belt and should be considered for this work. There are many good smiths out there but few who can truly duplicate the origional CC done by Lefever. FWIW based on 49 years experience in the trade , Ken

With all due respect to my elders(also great friend!) thanks for the kind words, Ken. Am a bit "hobbled" as my new hip heals, so things are on the slooow side. The 'pods(bone quacks) will only let me checker right now. Not sure when they will let me "run and play". Best, Bill

Thanks Silvers and I'll get that added to the 'Case Colors' PictureTrail. And how about a close up of that damascus pattern also thanks!

In near future it's going to be hard if not impossible to tell factory from redo. Just look at 'Pics of Refinished LC Smith' on SSBBS. All that thing needs is copious amounts of illumination at right wevelengths to age it just right!