|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 members (Argo44, Jtplumb, 375whelenIMP, Hammergun, jlb, Ted Schefelbein),
1,327
guests, and
5
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics39,659
Posts563,800
Members14,603
| |
Most Online9,918
Jul 28th, 2025
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,935
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,935 |
No, what I mean is I have made several bids (absentee) in excess of the max estimate only to be surprised to win for less than even the min estimate.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 41
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 41 |
The 12 ga Optimus did not have a broken stock.The gun has a wonderful history. It was owned by an pacific fleet Admiral named Kirkpatrick. Admiral Kirkpatrick gave the gun to Captain Tracy Cuttle <one of the Captain's in his command> when Captain Cuttle retired in 1948.I purchased it in 1999 after being notified by a friend that it was for sale. I asked Captain Cuttle why he was selling it.His answer was that at 91 he was too damm old to cock it anymore.I believe he used it most if not all of the years he owned it.It needed some TLC.The barrels had been hot blued, and the rib was loose,Captain Cuttle was a righty and instead of having the stock cast off,the checkering was sanded away on one side so that it fit.The barrels were properly redone,the internals cleaned and put in good order. The stock was a different matter. I was told to have it restocked. I didn't want to lose the original wood so I pestered D/T, and he agreed to do it.He also reset, or replaced one of the ivory pieces,and put a contempory pad on it. It came out great as you can see, a long time, but I think the Admiral, the Captain and Uncle Dan would be pleased, I am.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,417 |
To bring back an old thread. The Lefever Optimus in Greg Martin's February auction brought $6,900.00 including buyer's premium. Good Deal / Bad Deal? It depends on your or your Gunsmith's level of proficiency and your/his valuation of time.
Best Regards, George
To see my guns go to www.mylandco.com Select "SPORTING GUNS " My E-Mail palmettotreasure@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,896 Likes: 653
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,896 Likes: 653 |
George L.
I guess the buyer saw hope. If the barrels can be saved he has a chance. If you replace the barrels, restock the gun and redo the metal is this gun going to be like King Alfred's ax? You know on the fifth handle and the head has been replaced twice, but original.
All those who saw the gun said the barrels were in bad shape. I suspect someone along the way checked the barrel wall thickness and found them too thin to save or the gun would not have been at auction. The metal and engraving is going to take a lot of work to do right. But if the winner bid almost 7K someone was not far behind him to drive the bidding up to that level. Maybe both of them are optimistic about this Optimus.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 625
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 625 |
Two optimists on the Optimus, eh? Jake
R. Craig Clark
jakearoo(at)cox.net
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1 |
Perhaps whoever bought this gun is a member here and they will reveal their plans for it's restoration.
Jim
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 625
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 625 |
My bet is that if whoever bought it is on here they may not want to reveal that they wanted it that bad. One can buy a pretty darn nice gun for 7K. Jake
R. Craig Clark
jakearoo(at)cox.net
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,250
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,250 |
One can buy a damn good gun for 7K...but to chat about an Optimus is priceless!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,465 Likes: 89
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,465 Likes: 89 |
I imagine we'll see this gun again...at allot higher asking price and spouting of pristine condition.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 21
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 21 |
I think the gun can be completed for under $15k even farming all the work out if the guy is diligent. I dunno what an Optimus goes for in shootable condition, but I'd bet a lot more than that.
|
|
|
|
|
