Lefever Arms Hammerless Side-by-Side
Lefever Arms Company · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1885
Also known as: Lefever Hammerless Sideplate, Lefever Nitro Special
Overview
A high-quality American hammerless side-by-side built in Syracuse, New York, the Lefever was a favorite of trap and upland shooters. Its hallmark was a clever internally adjustable cocking and compensating mechanism and a graceful boxlock action (sometimes dressed in sideplates), offered in a wide ladder of grades distinguished mainly by engraving and wood.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1168 mm (45.98") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Case Hardened |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12GA, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Action
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Cocking Indicators
- Features: Side By Side, Hammerless Boxlock, Double Trigger, Automatic Ejectors, Adjustable Cocking Mechanism
Variants
- Lefever Arms Optimus Grade — High Grade
- Lefever Nitro Special — Budget Grade
Production
Estimated total produced: 70,000 · Production years: 1885-1915
Serial numbers ran roughly 1 to 70,000 over the Syracuse era.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Daniel Myron Lefever
Discontinued: 1916
Notes
Lefever Arms Company existed circa 1884-1916 before being absorbed by Ithaca Gun Company, which continued Lefever-branded production to about 1921. Distinct from the later 'D.M. Lefever & Sons' company (1901-1906). Weight, overall length and barrel length are typical-range approximations for a 12-gauge field gun; grade, barrel length and order varied widely. Also chambered in 16, 20 gauge and .410.
Background
Daniel Myron 'Dan' Lefever patented the first commercially successful American hammerless breech-loading shotgun in 1880, earning the title 'father of the American hammerless double.' He lost control of the company bearing his name after an 1883 fire, then later founded D.M. Lefever & Sons - making two distinct 'Lefever' gun lines that collectors carefully separate.