2036

HIGH GRADE OPTIMUS (?) LEFEVER HAMMERLESS SHOTGUN.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
HIGH GRADE OPTIMUS (?) LEFEVER HAMMERLESS SHOTGUN.

Cal. 10 Ga., 2 7/8". S# 11875. This is a very high grade Lefever however it appears that there has been some further embellishment to make it look like a later Optimus grade with the addition of some gold. The 28" barrels fitted with flat matted rib holding two white beads are gold inlaid "Lefever Arms Co." "Whitworth Fluid Steel" on tops. There are gold bands around breech ends and engraved triangles in front of bands. Barrels have usual Lefever style ogees at jucture of action. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with British provisional proofs, left barrel with S#. Case hardened early semi sidelock action has later factory fitted in frame ejectors, locking mechanism and cocking hook. Watertable is stamped with S# and engraved "Optimus". Action is nicely filed with concave beads around bottom, dual shamrock fences, rebated lock tails and flutes on top lever. Action and lockplates are engraved with near full coverage, well cut scroll within line and geometric borders. Lockplates are near fully engraved with exceptional small scroll with floral highlights and very intricate geometric borders. This fine engraving surrounds game scenes with dogs in flush inlaid in gold. Pointing pointer on left, setter on right. "LEFEVER ARMS CO." is in gold on diagonal slashes at the front of each lockplate. Bottom of action has engraved portrait of two dogs, their collars are linked by a inlaid gold chain. Patent dates are on trigger plate. A relief gold quail is flying on top lever pivot. A gold setter is on trigger guard bow, S# is in gold on tang which extends to fluted horn grip cap. Capped pistol grip buttstock of well marbled and figured European walnut measures 14 1/8" over brown partial leather covered pad. Early style arrowhead drop points have white dot accents. Multi point pattern checkering has fleur de lis and ribbons through grip. Flourishes extend toward comb (checkering is more closely spaced). A vacant gold shield is on toeline. Removal of grip cap show old pencil notation of S# and "OPT" which is very faint. Matching splinter forend has central push button release with spaniels head gold inlaid on button. Tip is of relief carved horn. There are early style forend ejector pivot screws present, forend iron most likely replaced at time of factory rebuild. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .779". R .778". Restriction: L .002" (IC). R .000" (Cyl). Wall thickness: L .042". R .042". STOCK: DAH: 3 38". DAC: 2". CAST: neutral. LOP: 14 1/8". WEIGHT: 8 lb. 7 oz. CONDITION: fine as refurbished. Barrels retaining nearly all of a good quality reblack over some scattered pitting that was not filed out during preparation. Barrel engraving recut. Gold inlay probably new. Case hardening on action and lockplates show silvering at normal wear points. High grade engraving remains very fine, gold dogs possibly added along with gold collar chain on bottom of action. Renewed gold plating is on triggers. Gold name on lockplates and S# on trigger guard tang look original. Stocks retain most of an oil refinish over a large number of nicks and dings. Checkering recut. Shiny bores, mechanically good. (01-22754/MGM). ANTIQUE. $10,000-20,000.