• Lefever Chronology – Lefever Arms Collectors Association
• Shotgunworld.com • Manufacture Year And Value Of Lefever ...

HAMMER GUNS

1. Breech-Loading Single Rifle and Shotgun Cast steel barrels, back action locks with plain finish. (Rifles may be ordered with or without patent muzzle). Circa: 1877 (Nichols and Lefever).
2. Again, if your gun has been examined and deemed safe by an expert gunsmith they may be able to advise you on the right shell to use or pose the question about your specific gun on the forum. The Lefever Nitro Specials and other Ithaca Lefever guns can generally be fired with standard 2 3/4 inch field grade loads if the gun and barrels are in.

Circa: 1872 (Dangerfield and Lefever)

Double barrel breech-loading shotguns

Lefever Chronology – Lefever Arms Collectors Association

In Ithaca, New York- bought out the old LeFever Gun Co. In about 1914- and thus owned the rights to the LeFever name- In 1924, Ithaca dropped the Emil Flues design for their side-by-side guns, and redesigned and re-tooled for the NID- New Ithaca Double- sifferent locking and cocking mechanism, and receivers and barrels designed for Nitro smokeless powder loads- Older Ithacas. Production Dates. Please remember that there are no factory records for the Lefever Arms Co. Therefore these numbers are an extrapolation from known data. However, up to 1/3 of LAC guns were produced out of sequence. The below dates with associated serial numbers represent the approximate serial number range at the beginning of. Jan 25, 2015 I recently acquired a Lefever Nitro Special (Ithaca, NY) 12 Gauge Double Barrel shotgun. I found a website that showed all the serial numbers and the years they were made but my serial number was much lower and has an 'L' in front of it.

(NOTE: No grades given in catalog only descriptions of what would be different grades)

• Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, extra fine engraving and extra fine finish.
• Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, engraved and extra finish.
• Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, plain finish.
• Cast steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, engraved and extra finish.
• Cast steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks, plain finish.

Breech-Loading Rifle and Shotgun Combined

• Cast steel rifle and shotgun barrels, solid breech, forward action locks and plain finish.

Breech-Loading Double Rifles

• Cast steel barrels, solid breech, forward action locks and plain finish.

Breech-Loading Single Rifle and Shotgun

• Cast steel barrel, solid breech, back action lock and plain finish.

Circa: 1875 (Barber and Lefever)

Double barrel breech-loading shotguns

(NOTE: No grades given in catalog only descriptions of what would be different grades)

• The finest Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, finest quality forward action rebounding locks, best English walnut, pistol grip stock and very finely engraved and finished.
• Fine Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, fine forward action rebounding locks, pistol grip stock and finely engraved and finished.
• Fine Laminated or Damascus steel barrels, fine forward action rebounding locks, pistol grip stock and elaborately engraved and finished.
• Fine Laminated or Damascus barrels, fine front action rebounding locks, pistol grip stock and nicely engraved and finished.
• Laminated or Damascus barrels, front action rebounding locks, pistol grip stock.

Breech-Loading Rifle and Shotgun Combined

• Cast steel rifle and shotgun barrels, forward action rebounding locks with plain finish.

Breech-Loading Double Rifles

• Cast steel barrels, forward action rebounding locks with plain finish.

Breech-Loading Single Rifle and Shotgun

• Cast steel barrels, back action locks with plain finish. (Rifles may be ordered with or without patent muzzle).

Circa: 1877 (Nichols and Lefever)

Double barrel breech-loading shotguns

• A Quality: Finest Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, best English rebounding locks, first quality French walnut stock, full pistol grip with steel or horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, very elegantly engraved with shield for name in gold.
• B Quality: Very fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, best English rebounding locks, fine French walnut stock, full pistol grip with steel cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, very finely engraved with gold shield for name.
• C Quality: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English rebounding locks, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with cap, steel butt plate and finely engraved.
• D Quality: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English rebounding locks, English walnut stock, full or half pistol grip without cap, steel butt plate and nicely engraved.
• E Quality: Damascus or Laminated barrels, English rebounding locks, English walnut stock, full or half pistol grip without cap, steel butt plate and border engraving.

Breech-Loading Rifle and Shotgun Combined

• A Quality: Finest Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, best English rebounding locks, first quality French walnut stock, full pistol grip with cap, horn or “French Rifle” butt plate and elegantly engraved.
• B Quality: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English rebounding locks, English walnut stock full pistol grip with cap, steel or “French Rifle” butt plate and handsomely engraved.
• C Quality: Damascus, Laminated or Plain steel barrels, English rebounding locks, English stock, half pistol grip and steel butt plate.

Double Barreled Breech-Loading Rifles

• Three grades, same in material, workmanship, finish and price as combination gun above.

Single Shotguns

• A Quality: Best quality Damascus barrel with rib, finest English stock, fine English rebounding lock, full pistol grip and handsomely engraved.
• B Quality: Fine Damascus barrel with rib, English stock, English rebounding lock, full pistol grip and nicely engraved.
• C Quality: Same as B Quality but without rib and less elaborately engraved.

SIDECOCKER GUNS

Circa: 1883 (DM Lefever)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• AA Quality: Finest Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, Finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, elegantly engraved and finished with rebounding locks.
• A Quality: Same as above except not so well finished or engraved.
• B Quality: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn heel plate, nicely engraved, full compensated action with rebounding locks.
• C Quality: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn or steel cap, horn heel plate, well engraved, compensated action with rebounding locks.
• D Quality: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn heel plate, engraved, compensated action with rebounding locks.
• E Quality: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, horn or stel butt plate, full pistol grip with horn cap, border engraved, compensated action with rebounding locks.

Hammerless Double Rifles

• E Quality: Double Express Rifles made to order, any weight or caliber desired.
• E Quality: Double Rifle and Shotgun Combined.

SIDEPLATE GUNS

Circa: 1889 (Lefever Arms Company)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• Optimus: Whitworth fluid steel or Kilby barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, special designs in gold, highest class of engraving, checkering and finish.
• AA Grade: Finest Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished.
• A Grade: Same as above, except not so well finished or engraved.
• B Grade: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn heel plate, handsomely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• C Grade: Fine Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, choice English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn or steel cap, rubber heel plate, richly engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• D Grade: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, rubber heel plate, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• E Grade: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English walnut stock, horn or rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with horn cap, well engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• F Grade: Damascus or Laminated steel barrels, English walnut stock, checkered and engraved, horn or rubber butt plate, full pistol grip, full compensated action.

Circa: 1894 (Lefever Arms Company)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• Optimus: Whitworth fluid steel or highest grade hard English Damascus barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, special designs in gold, highest class of engraving, checkering and finish.
• AA Grade: Finest Damascus steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished.
• A Grade: Same as above, except not so well finished or engraved.
• B Grade: Fine Damascus steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, horn butt plate, handsomely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• C Grade: Fine Damascus steel barrels, choice English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn or steel cap, rubber butt plate, richly engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• D Grade: Damascus steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with rubber cap, rubber butt plate, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• E Grade: Damascus steel barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• F Grade: Damascus steel barrels, English walnut stock, checkered and well engraved, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip, full compensated action.
• G (Ideal) Grade: Damascus steel barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, checkered, line engraved, full compensated action.

Circa: 1904 (Lefever Arms Company)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• Optimus: Whitworth fluid steel or highest grade hard English Damascus barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, gold plated triggers, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, special designs in gold, highest class of engraving, checkering and finish, fitted with automatic shell ejector.
• AA Grade: Finest Damascus steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, gold plated triggers, horn or skeleton butt plate, full compensated action, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished, fitted with automatic shell ejector.
• A Grade: Same as AA Grade but not so well finished or engraved.
• B Grade: Fine Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, gold plated triggers, horn butt plate, handsomely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• C Grade: Fine Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, choice English walnut stock, full pistol grip with horn cap, gold plated triggers, rubber butt plate, richly engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• D Grade: Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, full pistol grip with rubber cap, gold plated triggers, rubber butt plate, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• E Grade: Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, finely engraved and checkered, full compensated action.
• F Grade: Damascus or Premier (black) steel barrels, English walnut stock, checkered and nicely engraved, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, full compensated action.
• G (Ideal) Grade: Damascus or Royal (black) steel barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, checkered, line engraved, full compensated action.
• H Grade: Best grade London Twist barrels, English walnut stock, rubber butt plate, full pistol grip with rubber cap, checkered, full compensated action.
• DS (Durston Special) Grade: Duro (black) steel barrels, imported walnut stock, rubber butt plate, half pistol grip, checkered and well finished.

Circa: 1913 (Lefever Arms Company)

Hammerless Double Shotguns

• Thousand Dollar Grade: This grade is built to suit any special requirements of the shooter, and is the finest gun that can be made at any price. A sportsman’s requirements vary to such an extent in a gun of this grade that we prefer to build the gun exactly to their specifications. Full information will be furnished on request.
• Optimus: Genuine Whitworth fluid pressed steel or highest grade hard English Damascus barrels, beautifully engraved in high relief, gold bands inlaid around the breech, fine Circassian or finest French walnut stock with straight, one-half or full pistol grip fitted with horn cap, inlaid with gold plate, horn or skeleton butt plate, highest class of engraving with scroll designs, game scenes, beautifully inlaid in gold: (dog and bird in each lock plate, bird in top lever, dogs head in forend escutcheon, dog in trigger guard, two birds in the bottom of frame, gold bands inlaid in the safety slide, gold plated triggers and indicators and high relief engraving on the ball of the frame), superbly checkered and beautifully finished, fitted with automatic shell ejector.
• AA Grade: Same as A Grade but with more elaborate engraving, inlaying, checkering and finish.
• A Grade: Finest grade hard English Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels in high relief, gold bands inlaid around the breech, selected Circassian or French walnut stock with straight, one-half or full pistol grip fitted with horn cap, horn or skeleton butt plate, engraved with scroll designs, beautiful hunting scene on each lock plate, a pigeon inlaid in gold on the top lever, gold plated triggers and indicators and high relief engraving on the ball of the frame, richly checkered and elegantly finished.
• B Grade: Finest English Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels in high relief at the breech, finest French or English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with horn cap, horn butt plate, new design of scroll work, elaborate engraved hunting scenes on lock plates, gold plated triggers and indicators, handsomely checkered and finished.
• C Grade: Fine English Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels with scroll engraving at breech, choice English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with horn cap, handsome scroll design with appropriate hunting scenes on the lock plates, gold plated triggers and indicators, rubber butt plate, elaborately checkered and finished.
• D Grade: English Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, scroll design with a dog on each lock plate, nickel plated triggers and indicators, rubber butt plate, handsomely checkered and finished.
• E Grade: Fine Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, very effective scroll design with a dog handsomely executed on each lock plate, rubber butt plate, beautifully checkered and finished.
• F Grade: Damascus or Premier Nitro (black) steel barrels, English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, scroll design with a bird tastefully executed on each lock plate, rubber butt plate, checkered and finished.
• G Grade: Damascus or Royal Nitro (black) steel barrels, dark English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, full scroll designs on each lock plate, frame, trigger guard and top lever and tang, rubber butt plate, checkered and finished.
• H Grade: Best London Twist or Carman fluid steel barrels, dark English walnut stock, straight, one-half or full pistol grip with rubber cap, scroll designs on each lock plate and top lever, rubber butt plate, checkered and finished.
• DS Grade: Duro Nitro (black) steel barrels, dark imported walnut stock, one-half pistol grip only, rubber butt plate, checkered and well finished.

CROSSBOLT GUNS

Circa: 1902 (DM Lefever, Sons & Company)

The New Lefever Hammerless Shotguns

• Quality No. 1, Uncle Dan: Whitworth fluid steel, Krupp special fluid steel or highest grade hard Damascus steel with special designs in gold and engraving. The highest degree of workmanship, material and finish possible to obtain.
• No. 3, Optimus: Highest grade hard Damascus or Krupp special fluid steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, skeleton or our special butt plate, highest class of engraving with special designs in gold and checkering with full, half pistol grip or straight stock known as pigeon gun, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 4, AA Grade: Finest hard Damascus or Krupp special fluid steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished, full, half pistol grip or straight stock known as pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 5, B Grade: High grade Damascus or Krupp steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, beautifully engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 6, C Grade: Hard Damascus, Krupp or Imperial steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, richly engraved, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 7, D Grade: Damascus, Krupp or Imperial steel barrels, fine English walnut stock, finely engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 8, E Grade: Fine Damascus, Nitro or Imperial steel barrels, English walnut stock, nicely engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, full compensated action with automatic ejector.

Circa: late 1905 (DM Lefever Company)

The New Lefever Hammerless Shotguns

• Uncle Dan Grade: This is the highest grade gun we build and is superior to any other gun in the market for beauty of outline and balance. The engraving consists of beautiful designs in game and landscape scenery with inlaid work of gold that consists of dogs and birds. We guarantee it cannot be excelled by any other maker in the world at any price.
• No. 4, AA Grade: Finest hard Damascus, Whitworth or Krupp special fluid steel barrels, finest French walnut stock, elegantly engraved, checkered and finished, full, half pistol grip or straight stock known as pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 5, B Grade: High grade Damascus or Krupp steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, beautifully engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 6, C Grade: Hard Damascus or Krupp fluid steel barrels, extra fine English walnut stock, richly engraved, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, skeleton or our special butt plate, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 8, E Grade: Fine Damascus, Krupp or Imperial steel barrels, English walnut stock, nicely engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock termed pigeon gun, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• No. 9, F Grade: Damascus, Krupp or Imperial steel barrels, walnut stock, well engraved and checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock, full compensated action with automatic ejector.
• O EXCELSIOR Grade: Damascus or Imperial steel barrels, walnut stock, line engraved and nicely checkered, full, half pistol grip or straight stock, full compensated action.
• SINGLE TRAP GUN: Special Imperial steel barrel, full, half or straight stock, compensating hinge joint. These guns are built on the same lines as our double guns with same shape and symmetrical bearings and handle the same.

What is my Lefever worth?

The standard answer is whatever somebody will pay you for it. These are collectible guns. There is a market for most grades in good condition. The best way to get a reasonable answer for your particular gun is by an inquiry to:lefevercollectors@gmail.com

However before you jump there you need to have some basic information ready and photos will vastly increase the accuracy of any assessment the well informed LACA members will give. Instructions on how to post photos are on the forum site.

For the value of a Lefever the two most important issues are Grade and condition. Most, but not all, Lefever Arms Co. Guns have a Grade assigned including the later DM Lefever Guns. We will not get into early Lefever hammer guns here because they are so rare. The Grades will be discussed below.

Other issues are alterations. Sometimes these can be hard to detect. The most frequent and costly in terms of values are if the barrels have been cut. Almost all Lefever gun barrels are exactly 28, 30 or 32 inches in length. A few are 26 especially in smaller guages The length is measured from the breech end of the barrels themselves, not the rib extension, to the muzzle end. Another clue is to look at the barrels end on. If the sides of the barrels do not touch or come within a tiny fraction of touching they may have been cut.

Stock alterations can be very difficult to detect if done well and may not detract much from the value. Poor stock alterations or broken stocks obviously reduce the value.

Case colors on the frame (case colors are the various shades of blue and purple produced when the frame is originally hardened at the factory, or can be done later as a part of a restoration) are a positive factor, especially if original. However, original case colors on a gun that is an old as a Lefever that was used in the field are rather rare. Mostly they are found on high grade guns that were lovingly kept and lightly used, or sent in for restorative work. Sometimes case colors are faked by applying an acetylene torch to the frame. Obviously, this is not good.

Barrel condition is important, especially if the buyer intends to shoot it. Dents in the barrel can usually be repaired if not severe. Minor pitting inside the barrel can sometimes be overcome. Lefever guns came with either steel barrels or one of several kinds of twist steel. You can tell twist or Damascus barrels by the pattern on the barrels that spirals the length of the barrels.

Condition can be difficult for an amateur to describe. Rust is bad but doesn’t necessarily make it worthless. Dents and pitting in the barrels (look down the length of the barrels after running a cleaning brush and cloth) certainly detracts from value, but again doesn’t make it worthless as some of this can be repaired.

Shotgunworld.com • Manufacture Year And Value Of Lefever ...

What Grade is my Lefever?

The Grades of the Lefever Arms Co (Syracuse) and DM Lefever guns is generally marked on the watertable. The watertable is the flat part of the frame that the barrels rest on. You have to remove the barrels to see the grade mark. For the LAC guns the Grade can range from Optimus, AA, A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I, and DS. The D.M. Lefever guns are marked Optimus, A,B,C,D,E,F, and O Ex(for Excelsior). The general terms, the higher the grade the more the gun is worth. However, condition and any unique features also come into play. Some of these guns are not graded. In most cases they were Special Order or Presentation Guns. Some of these guns will have the grade stamped on the stock grip, under the grip cap. The post-LAC Ithaca Lefevers don’t have grades. The model (most frequently “Nitro Special”) is stamped on the barrels. There were two other Grades not mentioned. The LAC “Thousand Dollar Grade” and The DM Lefever “Uncle Dan Grade”. If you have one of these you are not likely to be searching the web to find out what it is, but if you do you should call the website administrator immediately and don’t tell anybody else about it. They are essentially worthless and the administrator will help you get rid of them (NOT!).

Can I shoot my Lefever?

In many cases yes, but not until you have it looked over by a competent gunsmith who is familiar with antique guns. Don’t trust the guy at the hardware or sporting goods store who knows how to dissemble your Remington 870. In most cases, even if it is deemed safe to shoot, you need to use special ammunition. Many, but not all, of the Lefever guns were chambered for 2 1/2 inch shells. They were not meant to be fired with even the standard field loads you find on the shelf. Again, if your gun has been examined and deemed safe by an expert gunsmith they may be able to advise you on the right shell to use or pose the question about your specific gun on the forum. The Lefever Nitro Specials and other Ithaca Lefever guns can generally be fired with standard 2 3/4 inch field grade loads if the gun and barrels are in good shape. Do not use 3 inch shells, magnum loads, or steel shot in these guns.

When was my Lefever made?

Check out the Production Dates tab on the main menu. However, beware that Lefevers were frequently made out of sequence. No records remain from the original companies. These numbers are extrapolations from known sources, but variations and exceptions exist.

Should I fix up my Lefever Gun?

The following is excerpted from the Lefever Forum regarding somebody who inherited a Lefever shotgun and wanted to “fix it up”:

I am going to be blunt and to the point here. Your gun as it is seems to be in a used but not abused condition. It is somewhat scarce because of it’s small bore. The three most important factors in determining its’ value are original condition, original condition, and original condition. Your light sanding of the numbers probably didn’t hurt much as the real damage there was done by the fool who scratched them into the wood. But now you are contemplating a complete refinish of a collectible shotgun when you obviously have virtually no experience. Chances are very good that you do not own proper gunsmithing screwdrivers and tools for disassembly. At this point, you do not even know how to remove the trigger guard. I know you have good intentions and some carpentry experience, but that is not enough unless you are intent of lessening the value of your gun. It is your gun, and as such you have the right to back your truck over it if that is your desire. However, I don’t think that’s why you came here. So here are some facts. An amateur refinish of wood and metal will reduce the value of this gun greatly. Many so-called professional gunsmiths will use improper methods and materials and also ruin the value. Hot salts bluing of the barrels will destroy them and even make them unsafe to shoot. There are a few gunsmiths who specialize in restoring these old guns, Buck Hamlin, Keith Kearcher, and Doug Turnbull come to mind. They have the expertise and experience to make your gun look like the day it left the factory. Unfortunately, none of this will come cheap. In fact, you might never recover the cost of such a restoration. It’s kind of like doing a $60,000 kitchen remodel in a neighborhood of $70,000 homes. If you have the means and money, perhaps this is acceptable to you. Otherwise, you are at a crossroads here. My advice considering your experience level would be to do a small touch up refinish of the sanded area. After you are done, if anyone can tell it was touched up, then you are not good enough to proceed further. A 20 ga. DS Lefever in sound condition is NOT a good subject as a practice platform for a budding hobby gunsmith. There are millions of cheap guns out there that never will have any collector value that would be a better place to start. If your father-in-law gave you a Van Gough painting, would you attempt to restore it if you were not a museum conservator? Of course not. I apologize for preaching here, but I have seen way too many guns ruined by well meaning folks. I do practice what I preach. I bought a D. M. Lefever crossbolt gun over a year ago with ejector issues. I have been searching here and elsewhere for information on the lock-works and ejector system ever since. At this point, I have not so much as put a good and proper screwdriver to this gun. It may well come to pass that I will turn it over to an expert and pay the price. Sometimes you just can’t beat a bricklayer at his trade. Meanwhile, you have a nice little gun that quite a few of us here would be quite happy to own as it is. It got that way through honest use in the field, not because some hack went crazy with sandpaper, files, and polishers. I get nothing from giving you this advice. In fact, if you ruin this gun, that will only reduce the pool of surviving specimens and make my own 20 Ga. DS more valuable.