Fox;
So far have never hit one of those "Sweepstakes" myself. Over the years I have owned a number of the representative US doubles & have always enjoyed studying the different features of them. Most of my guns have however been of the lower grades so am more versed on the mechanical aspects than engraving etc. The Lefever has become my all-time favorite as far as US guns go. I do have an English J P Clabrough 28" Damascus which I shoot as well or better than any gun I ever owned.
One thing many are unaware of is that although Lynchburg is the "Home" of Mr Jack, made & bottled right here the County itself (smallest in TN) is dry. Just recently laws have allowed sale of "Souvenier" bottles at "Souvenier Prices" at the distillery to visitors. Those who consume it have to buy it elsewhere.
I myself, living about 7 miles out in the boonies, when the breeze is just right can smell the mash working, am a total non-alcoholic. I drink coffee for breakfast & mostly water the rest of the day.
My "Go-To" gun for close to 40 yrs now has been an FE grade Lefever, 2-triggered with ejectors, which I purchased at, of all places at a local Western Auto store, where the propietor did a little gun-trading on the side. Before gas got so ridiculus & I could afford to drive to gun shows etc, I learned to watch for those side plated guns with the cocking indicators protruding, could spot them a mile away so to speak. Was not uncommon to go to a show & look at 3 dozen Smith's, Fox's etc a couple dozen Parkers & "One" Lefever. Now that their price is going up some a few more seem to be coming out of the woodwork, but I still don't think you will find many concentrations of them, they are simply "Wherever you can Find One". It is gennerally conceded that no more than about 60,000 of them were built, which while not "Rare" is certainly not as common as most of the other US classics.
