Lefever Nitro Special Value
- Thread starter Krusty
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Sauer Grapes
Member
Your looking at
$200-$300, they just aren't worth all that much in 12ga. I assume your thinking of buying it?
Let me warn you, those old scatter guns kick like off mule. Ask me how I know...
They have tight bores and were built long before plastic wads were around.
$200-$300, they just aren't worth all that much in 12ga. I assume your thinking of buying it?
Let me warn you, those old scatter guns kick like off mule. Ask me how I know...
They have tight bores and were built long before plastic wads were around.
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Liberty1776
Member
even $300 is towards the high end. Like new and with the Hunter single trigger, maybe $350 max?
huntsman
Member
I bought one in the 90's for $200. if I bought one now I'd only pay $200. and I like'm way more than a 311
saltydog452
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
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- 1,707
And some of the folks over on the Lefever Forum might think that those prices are understated.
I understand that it was the first commercially successful SXS and later bought out by Ithacia.
Ours is the lowest field grade.
salty
I understand that it was the first commercially successful SXS and later bought out by Ithacia.
Ours is the lowest field grade.
salty
Hunterdad
Member
My buddy just sold one in 16ga for $450. Not too sure how common the 16's are?
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
"Uncle Dan" Le Fevre was a better designer and builder of fine shotguns than he was a businessman. At least four companies bearing his name existed, and Ithaca bought one of them. LeFevres were some VERY good and well known shotguns.
The Nitro Special was not one of Uncle Dan's designs. It was pure Ithaca, a well built boxlock action double with little ornamentation but a rock solid design.
Baseline NS in 95%, 12 gauge, I'd venture to say $400-600.
And if I saw it at $300, I might break my wrist getting my wallet out.......
The Nitro Special was not one of Uncle Dan's designs. It was pure Ithaca, a well built boxlock action double with little ornamentation but a rock solid design.
Baseline NS in 95%, 12 gauge, I'd venture to say $400-600.
And if I saw it at $300, I might break my wrist getting my wallet out.......
Thanks guys. Dave, after looking on the internet that's pretty much what I told him. The gun came from his mother's family so he isn't interested in selling, just curious. It's a beautiful gun and very solid. It looks like he is going to just wipe it down good and display it in his home.
Sauer Grapes
Member
16ga and the 20ga will fetch decent money.
Biggest problem I have with mine is fit. Short stock and when I mount the gun, I'm staring at the breech. My grandfather gave me the gun so I have no intention of selling it at this point. Everytime I pick it up, I have fond memories of my younger days killing Pheasants.
As Dave said, solid guns.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
You're welcome, Krusty. But it saddens me that another fine old gun becomes a decoration rather than a companion and tool.
They were meant to be used..
They were meant to be used..
Dave, I agree. But sometimes it happens. This guy is not anti-gun, he just doesn't have time in his life for anything else. His father passed away a couple of years ago, they had a small business and they bred quarter horses and grew hay on his dad's farm. He just sold the last of the horses but everything else goes on, including two daughters in college. At least the gun will be cared for and passed on and who knows, somewhere down the line perhaps a gun guy will get it.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Let's hope so.....
wlewisiii
Member
Lots of good info in this post, but I think this last bears repeating. I about did the same when I found my Stevens 315 "Ranger" for $200. 30" & F/F and still some of the nicest color case hardening I've ever seen. I'd happily buy a nice NIB or NS any day and set it alongside my FiL's late 40's Model 37.
I just need to find a nice 16 SxS or Drilling that I can actually afford to make me really happy...
Norman Dog
Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2003
- Messages
- 34
FWIW, a couple of years ago, I paid $400 for a 12 gauge Nitro Special. It functioned perfectly mechanically, but it was about 75% condition cosmetically. Nothing broken, no splits in the wood, but it looked like it had been the go-to gun for at least a few people over the ninety years that it had been in existence before I got it.
I was happy to pay that kind of money for a few reasons:
1. It's an American-made SxS
2. I had $500 in my pocket and I wanted a double that didn't feel like an awkward 10-pound 2x4
3. I bought it from a reputable dealer that had test-fired it and could tell me all about it.
4. The gun had soul.
I let the shotgun go recently to a friend who fell in love with it while shooting some clays with me. I needed some cash to buy a fancy Euro double (see my Francotte post) and I thought my friend would be a good caretaker for the LeFever. I kinda miss it, but I can visit whenever I want to.
I was happy to pay that kind of money for a few reasons:
1. It's an American-made SxS
2. I had $500 in my pocket and I wanted a double that didn't feel like an awkward 10-pound 2x4
3. I bought it from a reputable dealer that had test-fired it and could tell me all about it.
4. The gun had soul.
I let the shotgun go recently to a friend who fell in love with it while shooting some clays with me. I needed some cash to buy a fancy Euro double (see my Francotte post) and I thought my friend would be a good caretaker for the LeFever. I kinda miss it, but I can visit whenever I want to
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