*RARE AND DESIRABLE OPTIMUS GRADE LEFEVER.

SN 51044. Cal. 12 ga. This top of the advertised line Lefever has 30″ Whitworth steel bbls with flat, matted rib. Tops of bbls are engraved “Lefever Arms Co Optimus.” and “Whitworth Fluid Steel”. There are 1″ pyramids of geometric and scroll engraving, as well as gold bands, at breech ends which also have typical Lefever filed-in engraved bosses, as found on their high grade guns. There are also a band of geometric engraving at muzzles. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and Whitworth sheaf of wheat trademarks. Typical late Lefever sideplated action has single piece cocking hook with tall arch extractor, and internal ejectors. Action also features automatic safety (SAFE engraved) visible through rectangular window through top of safety slide, which is gold inlaid with bands. Cocking indicators and triggers with checkered blades are gold-plated. Action is filed with fillets and beads along with rebated lock tails and relief shamrocks on fences. Engraving is of usual Lefever quality and style, far superior to that offered on most other American shotguns. Action has about full coverage of exceptionally well cut various sized shaded scroll with some geometric highlights, as well as geometric and acanthus borders. This fine engraving is background for gold inlaid game scenes; a gold inlaid duck flying across a marsh on bottom of action, and a flying grouse gold inlaid on opening lever, which also has nicely filed and checkered thumbpiece. Lockplates are also scroll engraved, and have a combination of geometric and knot-work borders surrounding well rendered gold inlaid dogs. Game birds are gold inlaid at front portions. A setter is at edge of field on left, and appears to be intently watching a flushing quail at front of lockplate, with a pointer in open uplands pointing a flushing woodcock on right. “LEFEVER ARMS CO” is in scroll terminated riband under a trio of blossoms on each lockplate. Trigger plate is engraved with patent dates, the latest being ’94. Scroll engraved trigger guard has oval vignette of gold inlaid pointing setter on bow, and SN on tang, which extends to horn grip cap with inset gold oval on top. Nicely veined and lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over checkered composition buttplate. Borderless fancy pattern checkering with ribbons through pattern and large extension into butt, is at grip. Drop points are inlet clock hand shaped horn with bone or ivory accent dots. A gold shield on top of comb is engraved “M G Schwind”. Matching splinter forend with fancy inlet horn tip and central escutcheon gold inlaid with head of a spaniel, has spring tension release. Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.038 (full), right -.037 (full). Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.035. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 7 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/8”. CONDITION: Fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a fine satin re-black, engraving sharp and clear. Action cleaned to coin finish over some light pitting. All engraving remains sharp and clear. Details of gold inlays are excellent. Cocking indicators and triggers have been re-plated and retain all of that gold. Stocks retain essentially all of a fine hand rubbed oil finish. There is evidence of some repaired cracks at wrist. Lower left horn of head of stock shows a repair and has moved slightly away from lockplate. Checkering is excellent and competently re-run. Newer buttplate is fine. Bores are excellent with slight frosting at breech ends, and there is evidence of a dent being raised, about 10″ back from muzzle on left bbl. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. 47909-1 MGM46 (27,500-45,000) – Lot 2334

Auction: Firearms - October 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2334	$32,200.00	RARE AND DESIRABLE OPTIMUS GRADE LEFEVER. SN 51044. Cal. 12 ga. This top of the advertised line Lefever has 30″ Whitworth steel bbls with flat, matted rib. Tops of bbls are engraved “Lefever Arms Co Optimus.” and “Whitworth Fluid Steel”. There are 1″ pyramids of geometric and scroll engraving, as well as gold bands, at breech ends which also have typical Lefever filed-in engraved bosses, as found on their high grade guns. There are also a band of geometric engraving at muzzles. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and Whitworth sheaf of wheat trademarks. Typical late Lefever sideplated action has single piece cocking hook with tall arch extractor, and internal ejectors. Action also features automatic safety (SAFE engraved) visible through rectangular window through top of safety slide, which is gold inlaid with bands. Cocking indicators and triggers with checkered blades are gold-plated. Action is filed with fillets and beads along with rebated lock tails and relief shamrocks on fences. Engraving is of usual Lefever quality and style, far superior to that offered on most other American shotguns. Action has about full coverage of exceptionally well cut various sized shaded scroll with some geometric highlights, as well as geometric and acanthus borders. This fine engraving is background for gold inlaid game scenes; a gold inlaid duck flying across a marsh on bottom of action, and a flying grouse gold inlaid on opening lever, which also has nicely filed and checkered thumbpiece. Lockplates are also scroll engraved, and have a combination of geometric and knot-work borders surrounding well rendered gold inlaid dogs. Game birds are gold inlaid at front portions. A setter is at edge of field on left, and appears to be intently watching a flushing quail at front of lockplate, with a pointer in open uplands pointing a flushing woodcock on right. “LEFEVER ARMS CO” is in scroll terminated riband under a trio of blossoms on each lockplate. Trigger plate is engraved with patent dates, the latest being ’94. Scroll engraved trigger guard has oval vignette of gold inlaid pointing setter on bow, and SN on tang, which extends to horn grip cap with inset gold oval on top. Nicely veined and lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over checkered composition buttplate. Borderless fancy pattern checkering with ribbons through pattern and large extension into butt, is at grip. Drop points are inlet clock hand shaped horn with bone or ivory accent dots. A gold shield on top of comb is engraved “M G Schwind”. Matching splinter forend with fancy inlet horn tip and central escutcheon gold inlaid with head of a spaniel, has spring tension release. Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.038 (full), right -.037 (full). Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.035. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 7 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/8”. CONDITION: Fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a fine satin re-black, engraving sharp and clear. Action cleaned to coin finish over some light pitting. All engraving remains sharp and clear. Details of gold inlays are excellent. Cocking indicators and triggers have been re-plated and retain all of that gold. Stocks retain essentially all of a fine hand rubbed oil finish. There is evidence of some repaired cracks at wrist. Lower left horn of head of stock shows a repair and has moved slightly away from lockplate. Checkering is excellent and competently re-run. Newer buttplate is fine. Bores are excellent with slight frosting at breech ends, and there is evidence of a dent being raised, about 10″ back from muzzle on left bbl. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. 47909-1 MGM46 (27,500-45,000) – Lot 2334 Auction: Firearms - October 2015 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*RARE AND DESIRABLE OPTIMUS GRADE LEFEVER.