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Forums10
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Most Online1,131 Jan 21st, 2024
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 960 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 960 Likes: 12 |
I picked up this nice f/f Lefever GE 12 recently to use as my trap/duck gun, and it has this stock shield that someone added on, possibly as a gift from a tournament? Hard to say. Not sure how I feel about it. Tempted to remove it and make it disappear. It is inletted into the stock, so it won't be a simple job. Interesting piece of history, but... Would be curious to hear some opinions. Thanks.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,398 Likes: 307
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,398 Likes: 307 |
The Sporting Life reports of state shoots from 1895 to about 1905 frequently mention Lefever, Smith, and Parker guns as prizes. At the 1896 Empire State Tournament, Dan Lefever won a Smith gun in a raffle, then had his own Lefever stolen. https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/47190At the New York State Association Tournament June 8-11, 1897 in Auburn, N.Y., Harvey McMurchy won a “$12 case of whiskey”.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1127
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1127 |
If the gun was mine I'd leave it. But then, I don't have the ability to make something like that disappear, as you do. Tough call. Maybe engrave something (quaint) on it and leave it?
How long are the barrels? 30", or 32"?
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,190 Likes: 15
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,190 Likes: 15 |
May not be the prettiest thing in the world, but it's a feature that enhances the gun's history and character. I'd opt to leave the shield as is; and it certainly won't decrease the gun's effectiveness on clays and birds.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
I'd leave it. It is in no way offensive to me, it is part of the gun's history, and it adds a touch of mystery. Tall, slender, dark, handsome, and mysterious.
DDA
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,693 Likes: 450
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,693 Likes: 450 |
Things like that add a bit of charm, of history, to the gun. You could always have your initials and date engraved on it. Leave room for others to sign in over time. I’ve often wished that these old guns could tell me where they have been and who owned them. The tails that these old guns could tell.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1127
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1127 |
I agree with Jon. My 1918 32" BE Fox has the first owner's (probably) name engraved, crudely, on the guard bow. It says "H B Hart Oct 1919". I wouldn't remove that for anything. Start the ball rolling and put your name and the year on that shield. SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 175
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 175 |
Duckboats, decoys and double barrels...
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 960 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 960 Likes: 12 |
Awesome. It's unanimous. I guess I'll put my initials on it! Thanks guys. Appreciate it.
This is a 30" gun. Has a slightly higher rib than normal, so possibly a special order target gun. Also has unusual what appear to be factory 2 7/8" chambers. Heavy krupp fluid steel barrels. It definitely breaks clays beautifully. I need to take some lessons though. I average around 22 or 23 at trap, but I've never been able to run straights. I bought this with the idea I might try to start getting better and shoot in some tournaments. I enjoy shooting decent with a 1904 gun along with guys shooting $8k o/u's.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1127
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1127 |
You'll grow even fonder of it if it does good work on ducks, which I fully expect it to.
Enjoy it in good health!
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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