Guns International #: 101635341
Seller's Inventory #: CM20-1006

Category - Lefever Shotguns - Shotguns - American Double

Category
Lefever Shotguns
Shotguns - American Double

1938 Vintage Lefever Arms Ithaca "A" Grade .410 Double w/ 26" Barrels, Ejectors, & Single Trigger ** RARE w/ Factory Letter! ** SOLD

Description:
This is a very special all-original Lefever / Ithaca "A" Grade .410 Ga. double-barrel shotgun made in 1938, complete with an original November of 1975-dated factory letter.  One of only 150 made in .410 gauge, this extremely-cool and beautiful little double features a case-colored receiver, a factory gloss blue finish on the barrels, 26" inch fluid-steel barrels choked "Modified" and "Full" with 3" inch chambers, a checkered solid rib with a red front bead sight and an ivory mid-bead, automatic ejectors (special order), a single trigger (special order), a tang-mounted automatic safety, and a point-pattern checkered American Walnut stock set with a beavertail forearm and pistol-grip buttstock.  The beavertail forearm has a push-button release and an ebony diamond inlay at the front edge, and the buttstock features a factory black pistol grip cap and a factory black serrated buttplate. While the original Lefever Arms of Syracuse, New York Discontinued operations in 1916, it was bought by the Ithaca Gun Company sometime shortly after.  In 1921 Ithaca decided to use the Lefever name to brand a high-quality but lower-cost field gun they were manufacturing, calling it the Lefever Nitro Special.  This allowed Ithaca to maintain the prestige of the Ithaca name but still produce a lower-cost shotgun.  The Lefever Nitro Special was a big success for the company and by 1934 Ithaca decided to offer an "upgraded" version of the gun, calling it the Lefever "A" Grade.  The "A" Grade guns would feature a color case-hardened frame with some minimal engraving, an improved checkered solid rib design, and a better grade of wood.  Automatic ejectors and a single trigger could be special ordered on this model for an additional cost.  The production run of the Lefever "A" Grade ran from 1934 until 1940, with a total of only 2,350 guns produced.  Out of the 2,350 made, 1,000 were 12 Gauge, 600 were 16 Gauge, 600 were 20 Gauge, and only 150 were .410 Gauge.  This particular example is serial number 301038 and is one of the 150 .410 Gauge guns made.  It was shipped in 1938 to Herbert Hearn Hardware company in Cambridge, Maryland and is listed in their records as it sits now, as a 26" inch gun choked "Modified" and "Full" with ejectors and a single trigger.  A quick internet search turns up some old pictures of the Hearn building when it was still in business as well as some pictures of what remains of the building today (which was being restored as of 2017).  As you can see from the pictures, this very handsome little Lefever has been used but not abused.  All of the finish that remains on this shotgun is original, and it has not been altered or "improved" in any way.  It is a very classy double with lots of original gloss blue showing on the barrels and patches of case colors still showing on the receiver, particularly in the protected areas.  The factory stampings of "Lefever Arms, Branch Ithaca Gun Co. Inc. Ithaca, N.Y." and "LEFEVER A GRADE" on the top of the chambers is still clear and legible.  All of the serial numbered parts are matching and original, including the forearm metal, receiver, and barrels.  The stock set is stamped with the serial number as well, with the beavertail forearm stamped on the underside between the barrel channels and the buttstock stamped under the tang of the triggerguard.  The bores in the 26" inch barrels are perfect and mirror-bright.  They are free from any pitting, dents, bulges, or damage of any kind.  The stock set on this Lefever is in very good condition overall, free from any cracks, chips, repairs, or major damage.  All of the factory stock hardware is intact and nothing has been modified.  The checkered panels on the wrist and forearm are still clean and show only light wear.  This "A" Grade Lefever has a perfect, tight lock-up, and is perfectly "on face" with no wiggle or slop.  The single trigger, automatic ejectors, and automatic safety all work perfectly.  We have no doubt that this Lefever will function just as well today as the day it left the factory, and should do so for many more decades.   If you have been looking for a classy and collectible American-made vintage .410 double, this is your chance to get one of the rarest we have had in decades.  This Lefever Ithaca should not only be an excellent field gun that you can enjoy shooting, but an excellent long-term investment as well.  There can't be too many of the original 150 .410's made that are still floating around out there in original condition, much less with special order automatic ejectors and a single trigger like this one!       

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes
Shotgun Gauge: .410 Gauge
Manufacturer: Lefever Arms / Ithaca
Model: A Grade
Serial Number: 301038
Barrel Length: 26" Inches
Chambers: 3" Inches
Ejectors: Automatic
Condition: Very Good
Metal Condition: Very Good
Wood Condition: Very Good
Bore Condition: Excellent
Triggers: Single Trigger
Stock Drop: 1.5" Inches at Comb, 2" Inches at Heel
LOP: 14" Inches
Rib: Solid Rib
Finish: Blued / Color Case-Hardened
Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz.
Sights: Ivory Mid-bead and Red Front Bead
Manufacture Date: 1938
Chokes: Modified and Full