Old Shotgun S/S

[triggerhappy2006]

I came across a Lefever 16ga Nitro Special S/S. It is missing a firing pin but the action is there(it clicks if you pull the trigger). It has some pits in the barrel. 28in barrel. I was wondering if it was worth getting fixed? And is Lefever a good company? wait who is lefever has anyone ever heard of them

 

[Dave McC]

A couple things....

"Uncle" Dan LeFever was one of the better firearms designers. He started making target rilfes before the UnCivil War. He was involved in a series of companies that used his name.

Ithaca gained control of one of his companies and built the Nitro Specials as a quality but plain and inexpensive double.

They're good shotguns and almost certainly worth restoring to use.

Many are chambered for shells shorter than what we use.

Like all old firearms, a good smith (Who can replace that firing pin) should go over it before trying to fire it.

HTH....

 

[fspic]

If you have some inkling of double gun culture it is OK to have it but the costs of a proper rebuild may not be worth it to you. Especially since 16 ga. ammo is rather costly at the moment. Even components cost more. I have a few sixteens in my accumulation or of a friend's but have shot none of them.

If you have a smith examine it it will cost you money which might indicate which way to go. You may care to just sell it and get a cheapo rotgut no-goodnick Baikal (Remington) for almost nothing. I bought three just to have something in two gauges to beat and chop on. I will try to have one set up as a semi-custom gun with light enmgraving and other work.

Look at Auction Arms, GunsAmerica, or Gunbroker to see what prices are. Do hit the dedicated doublegun sites of which there are at least two or three.