Guns International #: 102341708

Category - Lefever Shotguns - Shotguns - American Double

Category
Lefever Shotguns
Shotguns - American Double

Lefever Optimus 16 Ga. - HIGHEST GRADE LEFEVER, vintage firearms inc

Description:
General Specs: Lefever, Year 1903, 16 Gauge, 6lb 15oz, Chokes LM/LM, LOP 14 3/4", DAH 2 1/2", DAC 1 7/16"
Serial Number: 47930
The Optimus grade Lefever is avidly sought after. Original examples are very rare, with less than 125 ever produced in all gauges, LESS THAN 10 MADE IN 16 GAUGE!  Even if an original Lefever Optimus came up for sale, the price would exceed $100,000 for a high condition gun.  Most doublegun enthusiasts simply can’t afford to play at that level.  For avid collectors of vintage American side x side shotguns wanting to own an example of the highest grade of gun produced by each of the “BIG FIVE” makers, ie A.H. Fox, Ithaca, L.C. Smith, Lefever, and Parker, sometimes the only avenue is an upgraded gun.  That is what we have here in this Lefever Optimus Grade, a stunningly perfect replication of the crown jewel of the Lefever Arms Co. in a 16ga. ejector gun with rare 30” barrels.  Serial number 47930 was built in 1903 and at some time in the past has been masterfully turned into a stunning work of art.  Consult Robert Elliot’s definitive book on the Lefever gun, "LEFEVER: GUNS OF LASTING FAME", by Bob Elliott, pages 77-84 and pages 214-225 and you will see that somehow, some unknown artist has captured ALL OF THE FEATURES AND DETAILS THAT MADE THE LEFEVER OPTIMUS GRADE ARGUABLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND ELABORATE OF ALL THE “BEST GUNS” PRODUCED BY AMERICA’S BEST GUN MAKERS AT THE TURN OF THE 20TH CENTURY.  Look at the sculpted frame, deep-relief shamrock carved fences, the stepped lockplates, the elaborate top lever carvings, the elegantly curved top tang, the gold inlaid forend escutcheon, all deeply engraved with finely detailed scroll and borders.  The muzzles are engraved.  The 8 gold inlaid scenes are finely detailed.  Even the stock work is a perfect rendition of the Optimus, highly figured European walnut with ebony and ivory inlays at the wrist, superb scallop bordered, ribbon laced checkering, and a gold shield inlaid in the belly of the stock.  Just as amazing, the mechanics of the gun are superb as well, the barrels being tight on hinge and breech face, ejectors strong and well timed, the auto safety works as designed, and the trigger pulls are crisp as should be expected on a BEST gun.  Most of the double gun audience knows that Vintage Firearms has 3 top double gunsmiths employed year-round and has done some amazing restorations and upgrades on fine guns, so we know what we are talking about.  In 30 years, I have never seen a more perfect upgrade, both visually and mechanically, as this gun demonstrates (and the two other Optimus Grades that will also be offered for sale this week).  The specifications can be seen below.  We are offering this Optimus upgrade at an amazing price (you couldn’t even have the engraving done at the selling price) and it is an opportunity to own and show what the top level of Lefever Arms Co. offering was like.  This gun is in near 100% condition.  There will not be another opportunity like the one before you now, so don’t hesitate or she will be gone!  Thanks for looking.


BARRELS
Barrel Length:  30"
Chokes:  .013/.015  LM/LM 
Bores:  excellent
Bore Diameter:  .673/.673
Wall Thickness:  .034/.030
% Blue:  100%
Chambers:  2 3/4"
Ribs:  tight
Sights:  Front silver bead


ACTION
Action:  tight right of center
Ejectors or Extractors:  ejectors-timed
Receiver Condition:  100% bone and charcoal case color
Screws:  perfect
Engraving:  EXACT rendition of Optimus
Trigger Type:  double-crisp
Trigger Guard Color:  100% blue engraved with gold inlay


STOCK
Type:  English/splinter forend; highly figured euro walnut with ebony ivory inlays
LOP:  14 3/4"
LOP To End Of Wood:  14 3/4"
DAH:  2 1/2"
DAC:  1 7/16"
Cast:  neutral
Checkering Condition:  superb, elaborate scalloped borders with ribbons
Butt Treatment:  checkered butt with horn heel & toe plates


INQUIRIES
There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on long guns. If it is a "VFI Certified" gun there is a 90 day mechanical warranty. Call us for full details, or to purchase #616-292-6240. If you have any questions please call or email us. Thanks! Vintage Firearms Inc.

PAYMENT AND SHIPPING
Payment Methods: Credit Card, Money Order, Certified Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer (Advertised price reflects 3% cash discount. Actual price if paid by credit card is 3% higher.)
Inspection Period / Return Policy: Three Days from the date the item was received.
Sales Tax: Collected in CO, FL, MI
Shipping & Insurance: Ground $275.00* within the continental U.S. Additional fees for HI & AK. We ship internationally with additional fees! (*NOTE that most all of this is INSURANCE.  If you have your own, we could arrange your insurance covering it.)
Item Condition: Used
Requires FFL?: Yes

OTHER
PLEASE SEE MY OTHER FINE VINTAGE FIREARMS.  Just open one of my ads and click on the line that says “see all items from this seller” and a very nice list of fine sporting and collectible arms will appear. We have many more sxs shotguns, o/u shotguns, rifles and handguns not yet listed, check back or email us for a preview. We are a Wilson Combat dealer! Thanks for looking!
We employ full time gunsmiths on premises and can perform alterations to suit your needs within a few weeks of purchase. Common requests are: -stock bending to suit your particular requirements -addition of any specified butt pad to increase length of pull -alteration of chokes to suit your shooting preferences -lengthening of chambers and forcing cones -darkening stock color with penetrating stains -restoring any part of the gun including rust blue, charcoal blue, bone and charcoal case color, wood restoration and checkering recuts. If you like one our guns but it needs "tweaked", let us know and we can quote you a time and price. Some enthusiasts like the guns "as found" and others want them "just so". We often list guns as found and let the particular buyer choose how they want their gun to fit or look.

SOLD

Shotgun Gauge: 16 Gauge