doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A.P. Kessel & Lefever W/ Pictures

Ser# 13529 10 ga 30" barrels,<whitworth> optimus quality, marked a kessel under pistol grip cap.gold inlayed,3 clovers on breech, 85% case colors. Advertised as 1000 grade in the 80's. See page 223 Uncle Dan Lefever, Master Gunmaker, Bob Elliot. sfq

Thanks, One more to add to what we know about Mr. Kessel, looks like he did the high-end stocks.

There are also a very fine B grade (2 w/Opt. barrels), an A grade and a AA sidecocker out there with marked Kessel stocks. I'm looking for photos and info on Kessel's work for an LACA newsletter article. If anyone with material could contact me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks. RichardBrewster@nyc.rr.com

Fascinating... I did some research on Lefever employee's during this time period.

http://lefeverforum.informe.com/viewtopic.php?t=84

I missed A.P. Kessel as working for Lefever. I wonder if he was an employee or had a different relationship? Interesting that he is putting his name on stocks during a period when even engravers did not sign their work.

Pete

Several years ago on this site, there was a posting about what looked to be a fairly high grade 10 gauge Lefever, but the only markings were "Zischang" on the locks, and (as I remember) the full "A. O. Zischang, Syracuse, New York" on the rib. The owner said Zischang worked for Lefever, and speculated that he had been permitted to build a gun for himself out of on hand parts. Zischang is well known among single shot collectors/shooters for his superb rifle work, most often on Sharps Borchardt actions.

Does anyone know if Zischang actually worked for Lefever?

In Jim Serven’s Article of 1950 he says. “From Bridgeport, Zischang went to Syracuse, NY where he became associated with Nichols & Lefever. In 1879 he opened his own shop.”

I have a note from Nash Buckingham to Bert Becker asking him where he learned about guns?. His answer was < "At 14 I went to work for Dan Lefever to learnt my trade". Seems like "Uncle Dan" may have thrown a wider net than we thought. sfq

Mike, Your thread on Kessel started me on an article about Kessel for the next Lefever (LACA) newsletter. I plan to use your picture of the Kessel rifle stock in my article. The article will have detailed material on additional research by Phil Kroll concerning Kessel and several Kessel stocks on Lefevers owned or previously owned by Phil and other collectors. Please let me know if you would like me to mail you the newsletter with the Kessel article, and of course let me know, if you don't want me to use the photo of the rifle stock. Many thanks.

Rich,

Your more than welcome to use the picture(s). Yes I would like a copy of the newsletter with the Kessel info.

Thanks, Mike. Please send me your mailing address. I'd be happy to send you a copy of the newsletter, which should come out by July 4. RichardBrewster@nyc.rr.com