Hunterjewelry107

• Lefever Serial Number Dates
• Lefever Shotgun Serial Number Years
• VINTAGE SERIAL NUMBERS & DATES
• Lefever Chronology – Lefever Arms Collectors Association

The Special Order gun pretty much went away when Dan left lefever Arms. The DS and I grades were add around the 36xxx range. The very first one had cocking indactors, a dolls head, and twist barrels. The was quickly changed to steel barrels with not dolls head and cocking indactors. The Ithaca Gun Company acquired Lefever Arms in 1916, and manufactured the Lefever Nitro Special between 1921 and 1947. The serial number on your gun indicates it is an 'A Grade' made in 1937.

HAMMER GUNS

Circa: 1872 (Dangerfield and Lefever)

Double barrel breech-loading shotguns

(NOTE: No grades given in catalog only descriptions of what would be different grades)

• Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, extra fine engraving and extra fine finish.
• Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, engraved and extra finish.
• Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, plain finish.
• Cast steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, engraved and extra finish.
• Cast steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, plain finish.

Breech-Loading Rifle and Shotgun Combined

• Cast steel rifle and shotgun barrels, solid breech, forward action locks and plain finish.

Breech-Loading Double Rifles

• Cast steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks and plain finish.

Breech-Loading Single Rifle and Shotgun

• Cast steel barrel, solid breech, back action lock and plain finish.

Circa: 1875 (Barber and Lefever)

Double barrel breech-loading shotguns

(NOTE: No grades given in catalog only descriptions of what would be different grades)

• The finest Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, finest quality forward action rebounding locks, best English walnut, pistol grip stock and very finely engraved and finished.
• Fine Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, fine forward action rebounding locks, pistol grip stock and finely engraved and finished.
• Fine Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, fine forward action rebounding locks, pistol grip stock and elaborately engraved and finished.
• Fine Laminated or Damascus barrels, fine front action rebounding locks, pistol grip stock and nicely engraved and finished.
• Laminated or Damascus barrels, front action rebounding locks, pistol grip stock.

Breech-Loading Rifle and Shotgun Combined

• Cast steel rifle and shotgun barrels, forward action rebounding locks with plain finish.

Breech-Loading Double Rifles

• Cast steel barrels, forward action rebounding locks with plain finish.

Breech-Loading Single Rifle and Shotgun

• Cast steel barrels, back action locks with plain finish. (Rifles may be ordered with or without patent muzzle).

Circa: 1877 (Nichols and Lefever)

Double barrel breech-loading shotguns

• A Quality: Finest Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, best English rebounding locks, first quality French walnut stock, full pistol grip with steel or horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, very elegantly engraved with shield for name in gold.
• B Quality: Very fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, best English rebounding locks, fine French walnut stock, full pistol grip with steel cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, very finely engraved with gold shield for name.
• C Quality: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English rebounding locks, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with cap, steel butt plate and finely engraved.
• D Quality: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English rebounding locks, English walnut stock, full or half pistol grip without cap, steel butt plate and nicely engraved.
• E Quality: Damascus or Laminated barrels, English rebounding locks, English walnut stock, full or half pistol grip without cap, steel butt plate and border engraving.

Breech-Loading Rifle and Shotgun Combined

• A Quality: Finest Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, best English rebounding locks, first quality French walnut stock, full pistol grip with cap, horn or “French Rifle” butt plate and elegantly engraved.
• B Quality: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English rebounding locks, English walnut stock full pistol grip with cap, steel or “French Rifle” butt plate and handsomely engraved.
• C Quality: Damascus, Laminated or Plain steel barrels, English rebounding locks, English stock, half pistol grip and steel butt plate.

Double Barreled Breech-Loading Rifles

• Three grades, same in material, workmanship, finish and price as combination gun above.

Single Shotguns

• A Quality: Best quality Damascus barrel with rib, finest English stock, fine English rebounding lock, full pistol grip and handsomely engraved.
• B Quality: Fine Damascus barrel with rib, English stock, English rebounding lock, full pistol grip and nicely engraved.
• C Quality: Same as B Quality but without rib and less elaborately engraved.

SIDECOCKER GUNS

Circa: 1883 (DM Lefever)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• AA Quality: Finest Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, Finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, elegantly engraved and finished with rebounding locks.
• A Quality: Same as above except not so well finished or engraved.
• B Quality: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn heel plate, nicely engraved, full compensated action with rebounding locks.
• C Quality: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn or steel cap, horn heel plate, well engraved, compensated action with rebounding locks.
• D Quality: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn heel plate, engraved, compensated action with rebounding locks.
• E Quality: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, horn or stel butt plate, full pistol grip with horn cap, border engraved, compensated action with rebounding locks.

Hammerless Double Rifles

• E Quality: Double Express Rifles made to order, any weight or caliber desired.
• E Quality: Double Rifle and Shotgun Combined.

SIDEPLATE GUNS

Circa: 1889 (Lefever Arms Company)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• Optimus: Whitworth fluid steel or Kilby barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, special designs in gold, highest class of engraving, checkering and finish.
• AA Grade: Finest Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished.
• A Grade: Same as above, except not so well finished or engraved.
• B Grade: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn heel plate, handsomely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• C Grade: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, choice English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn or steel cap, rubber heel plate, richly engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• D Grade: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, rubber heel plate, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• E Grade: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English walnut stock, horn or rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with horn cap, well engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• F Grade: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English walnut stock, checkered and engraved, horn or rubber butt plate, full pistol grip, full compensated action.

Circa: 1894 (Lefever Arms Company)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• Optimus: Whitworth fluid steel or highest grade hard English Damascus barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, special designs in gold, highest class of engraving, checkering and finish.
• AA Grade: Finest Damascus steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished.
• A Grade: Same as above, except not so well finished or engraved.
• B Grade: Fine Damascus steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn butt plate, handsomely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• C Grade: Fine Damascus steel barrels, choice English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn or steel cap, rubber butt plate, richly engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• D Grade: Damascus steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with rubber cap, rubber butt plate, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• E Grade: Damascus steel barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• F Grade: Damascus steel barrels, English walnut stock, checkered and well engraved, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip, full compensated action.
• G (Ideal) Grade: Damascus steel barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, checkered, line engraved, full compensated action.

Circa: 1904 (Lefever Arms Company)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• Optimus: Whitworth fluid steel or highest grade hard English Damascus barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, gold plated triggers, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, special designs in gold, highest class of engraving, checkering and finish, fitted with automatic shell ejector.
• AA Grade: Finest Damascus steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, gold plated triggers, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished, fitted with automatic shell ejector.
• A Grade: Same as AA Grade but not so well finished or engraved.
• B Grade: Fine Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, gold plated triggers, horn butt plate, handsomely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• C Grade: Fine Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, choice English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, gold plated triggers, rubber butt plate, richly engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• D Grade: Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with rubber cap, gold plated triggers, rubber butt plate, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• E Grade: Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• F Grade: Damascus or Premier (black) steel barrels, English walnut stock, checkered and nicely engraved, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, full compensated action.
• G (Ideal) Grade: Damascus or Royal (black) steel barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, checkered, line engraved, full compensated action.
• H Grade: Best grade London Twist barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, checkered, full compensated action.
• DS (Durston Special) Grade: Duro (black) steel barrels, imported walnut stock, rubber butt plate, half pistol grip, checkered and well finished.

Circa: 1913 (Lefever Arms Company)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

Lefever Serial Number Dates

• Thousand Dollar Grade: This grade is built to suit any special requirements of the shooter, and is the finest gun that can be made at any price. A sportsman’s requirements vary to such an extent in a gun of this grade that we prefer to build the gun exactly to their specifications. Full information will be furnished on request.
• Optimus: Genuine Whitworth fluid pressed steel or highest grade hard English Damascus barrels, beautifully engraved in high relief, gold bands inlaid around the breech, fine Circassian or finest French walnut stock with straight, one-half or full pistol grip fitted with horn cap, inlaid with gold plate, horn or skeleton butt plate, highest class of engraving with scroll designs, game scenes, beautifully inlaid in gold: (dog and bird in each lock plate, bird in top lever, dogs head in forend escutcheon, dog in trigger guard, two birds in the bottom of frame, gold bands inlaid in the safety slide, gold plated triggers and indicators and high relief engraving on the ball of the frame), superbly checkered and beautifully finished, fitted with automatic shell ejector.
• AA Grade: Same as A Grade but with more elaborate engraving, inlaying, checkering and finish.
• A Grade: Finest grade hard English Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels in high relief, gold bands inlaid around the breech, selected Circassian or French walnut stock with straight, one-half or full pistol grip fitted with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, engraved with scroll designs, beautiful hunting scene on each lock plate, a pigeon inlaid in gold on the top lever, gold plated triggers and indicators and high relief engraving on the ball of the frame, richly checkered and elegantly finished.
• B Grade: Finest English Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels in high relief at the breech, finest French or English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with horn cap, horn butt plate, new design of scroll work, elaborate engraved hunting scenes on lock plates, gold plated triggers and indicators, handsomely checkered and finished.
• C Grade: Fine English Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels with scroll engraving at breech, choice English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with horn cap, handsome scroll design with appropriate hunting scenes on the lock plates, gold plated triggers and indicators, rubber butt plate, elaborately checkered and finished.
• D Grade: English Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, scroll design with a dog on each lock plate, nickel plated triggers and indicators, rubber butt plate, handsomely checkered and finished.
• E Grade: Fine Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, very effective scroll design with a dog handsomely executed on each lock plate, rubber butt plate, beautifully checkered and finished.
• F Grade: Damascus or Premier Nitro (black) steel barrels, English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, scroll design with a bird tastefully executed on each lock plate, rubber butt plate, checkered and finished.
• G Grade: Damascus or Royal Nitro (black) steel barrels, dark English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, full scroll designs on each lock plate, frame, trigger guard and top lever and tang, rubber butt plate, checkered and finished.
• H Grade: Best London Twist or Carman fluid steel barrels, dark English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, scroll designs on each lock plate and top lever, rubber butt plate, checkered and finished.
• DS Grade: Duro Nitro (black) steel barrels, dark imported walnut stock, one-half pistol grip only, rubber butt plate, checkered and well finished.

CROSSBOLT GUNS

Lefever Shotgun Serial Number Years

Circa: 1902 (DM Lefever, Sons & Company)

The New Lefever Hammerless Shotguns

• Quality No. 1, Uncle Dan: Whitworth fluid steel, Krupp special fluid steel or highest grade hard Damascus steel with special designs in gold and engraving. The highest degree of workmanship, material and finish possible to obtain.
• No. 3, Optimus: Highest grade hard Damascus or Krupp special fluid steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, skeleton or our special butt plate, highest class of engraving with special designs in gold and checkering with full, half pistol grip or straight stock known as pigeon gun, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 4, AA Grade: Finest hard Damascus or Krupp special fluid steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished, full, half pistol grip or straight stock known as pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 5, B Grade: High grade Damascus or Krupp steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, beautifully engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 6, C Grade: Hard Damascus, Krupp or Imperial steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, richly engraved, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 7, D Grade: Damascus, Krupp or Imperial steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, finely engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 8, E Grade: Fine Damascus, Nitro or Imperial steel barrels, English walnut stock, nicely engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, full compensated action with automatic ejector.

VINTAGE SERIAL NUMBERS & DATES

Circa: late 1905 (DM Lefever Company)

The New Lefever Hammerless Shotguns

Lefever Chronology – Lefever Arms Collectors Association

• Uncle Dan Grade: This is the highest grade gun we build and is superior to any other gun in the market for beauty of outline and balance. The engraving consists of beautiful designs in game and landscape scenery with inlaid work of gold that consists of dogs and birds. We guarantee it cannot be excelled by any other maker in the world at any price.
• No. 4, AA Grade: Finest hard Damascus, Whitworth or Krupp special fluid steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished, full, half pistol grip or straight stock known as pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 5, B Grade: High grade Damascus or Krupp steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, beautifully engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 6, C Grade: Hard Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, richly engraved, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 8, E Grade: Fine Damascus, Krupp or Imperial steel barrels, English walnut stock, nicely engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 9, F Grade: Damascus, Krupp or Imperial steel barrels, walnut stock, well engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• O EXCELSIOR Grade: Damascus or Imperial steel barrels, walnut stock, line engraved and nicely checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock, full compensated action.
• SINGLE TRAP GUN: Special Imperial steel barrel, full, half or straight stock, compensating hinge joint. These guns are built on the same lines as our double guns with same shape and symmetrical bearings and handle the same.