I inherited a Nitro Special and have been doing some research on it. From the s/n starting with 224, I can tell it was made in 1925. On the opposite side of the frame from the s/n, there is a "16" stamped. I assume this indicates a 16 ga. Is this correct? The action is smooth and tight, stock in great condition, with a leather butt cover. I would say the finish is 90%. What is the approximate value?
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Lefever Nitro Special
- Thread starter Retro
- Start date
oneounceload
Moderator
You might try looking on Guns International, Double Gun Shop and Upland Journal, (.coms), besides the usual gun auction sites - you might get a good realistic answer, especially if you have pics......
earlthegoat2
New member
In pristine condition it may be worth just short of 1000 if it is a 16 ga. If it is 20 ga or smaller it could get as high as 1500.
More than likely though it is a 12 or 16 ga in average condition so that would put it around 500-600.
More than likely though it is a 12 or 16 ga in average condition so that would put it around 500-600.
Dan LeFever was a Da Vinci class genius when it came to designing shotguns, but his business acumen was not on that level.
He set up a series of gun companies that made diverse models, including both sidelocks and boxlocks.
All were excellent.
One of his old companies was acquired by Ithaca. They traded on the name when they intro'd a entry level boxlock of their design and named it the LeFever Nitro Special.
A rather plain gun, it was built to the same tolerances as their upscale NID and was a lot of gun for the money.
The Nitros don't fit me, but I've done OK with a few lent to me for a couple shots. None had Damascus barrels and did have 2 3/4" chambers.
The last I recall around here had some mild corrosion issues(Probably used on MD ducks way back) and was mechanically tight. The tag was $450, IIRC.
As with all old shotguns, a lookover by a competent smith is a must have.
HTH....
He set up a series of gun companies that made diverse models, including both sidelocks and boxlocks.
All were excellent.
One of his old companies was acquired by Ithaca. They traded on the name when they intro'd a entry level boxlock of their design and named it the LeFever Nitro Special.
A rather plain gun, it was built to the same tolerances as their upscale NID and was a lot of gun for the money.
The Nitros don't fit me, but I've done OK with a few lent to me for a couple shots. None had Damascus barrels and did have 2 3/4" chambers.
The last I recall around here had some mild corrosion issues(Probably used on MD ducks way back) and was mechanically tight. The tag was $450, IIRC.
As with all old shotguns, a lookover by a competent smith is a must have.
HTH....
Dave is on target. I have one my Dad bought in 1928 for 28 bucks.
I killed a goose with it for sentimntal reasons, and it stays in the safe but I have no expectations of any high value. they were knockabout utility guns, sturdy and plain. But there is a duck sketchily engraved on the side.
HM
I killed a goose with it for sentimntal reasons, and it stays in the safe but I have no expectations of any high value. they were knockabout utility guns, sturdy and plain. But there is a duck sketchily engraved on the side.
HM
Lefever
I have a Lefever Nitro Special with steel barrels 12 gauge (IC.M). It is in good to very good condition. Some wear on the finish, tight as a bank vault, barrels ring like a chime, mirror bores, wood plain but in good shape. I paid $400 for it two years ago. That is right in line with what has been mentioned as a possibility. The 16 gauge will be about the same.
Pete
I have a Lefever Nitro Special with steel barrels 12 gauge (IC.M). It is in good to very good condition. Some wear on the finish, tight as a bank vault, barrels ring like a chime, mirror bores, wood plain but in good shape. I paid $400 for it two years ago. That is right in line with what has been mentioned as a possibility. The 16 gauge will be about the same.
Pete