Lefever Nitro Special
Lefever Arms Company · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1921
Also known as: Lefever Arms Nitro Special, Ithaca Lefever Nitro Special
Overview
The Lefever Nitro Special is a boxlock, side-by-side double-barrel shotgun introduced in 1921 by the Ithaca Gun Company under the Lefever Arms name. A budget-priced, mass-market break-action shotgun sold widely through hardware stores and mail-order catalogs, it was offered in 12, 16, and 20 gauge (with .410 bore added in 1926). Standard guns featured double triggers, extractors, fluid-steel barrels, blued finish, a case-colored receiver, and a checkered walnut stock, with a single-selective trigger and automatic ejectors available as options.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2977 g (105.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1143 mm (45.00") |
| Barrel Length | 711 mm (27.99") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Internal Hammer |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2030 J (1497 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Fluid Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued Barrels, Case-Colored Receiver |
Calibers
- 16 Gauge · primary — also known as 16 ga, 16 bore, 16/70
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break-Open
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Boxlock Action, Double Triggers, Extractors, Side-By-Side Barrels, Checkered Walnut Stock
Production
Estimated total produced: 261,000 · Production years: 1921-1948
Serial range approximately 100,000 to 361,199; offered in 12, 16, 20 gauge and .410 bore.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1948
Notes
Introduced at a price of roughly $29. Serial numbers ran from about 100,000 to 361,199 across the production run.
Background
The Nitro Special carried the prestigious Lefever name after Ithaca Gun Company acquired the Lefever Arms Company in 1916, but was a simplified boxlock design built to compete in the affordable field-gun market rather than the high-grade sidelocks of Daniel Lefever's original firm.