Looking at buying an old Lefever double barrel shotgun. Can't find anything in my gun books showing Damascus barrels on Lefever shotguns. Question: Did Lefever make any Damascus steel double barrel shotguns? This one has double triggers and no rabbit ears. Thanks for the help, Mike

Four Tails (must be a bitch buying pants!)

Lefever had damascus steel as an option up through 1913.

THere were several different grades of "Damascus" or "Twist" steel barrels on Lefevers. The higher grades had English "Four Chains" pattern steel found on the best guns of the day. The lessor grades had twist steel or German Krupp (fluid) steel barrels.

I forgot one thing on the last post. On the forearm there is a part missing I guess. Where the lever pulls out on alot of double forearms this one has a hole about the size of a 50 cent piece and 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch deep and the locking mechanism can be seen through the forearm. I thought maybe some kind of stanchion or medalion was missing. The forearm snaps into place securely enough with no play. All help, again, is greatly appreciated. And Jack thank you for what you have already offered. Mike

Four Tails--

The hole in the forend held the latch that was in the form of a rocker arm, serrated or the outer surface and sticking through an escutcheon. LC Smith's had them on Ideal grades and above. Model 21 Winchesters had them, also.

Remember----Damascus barrels can self destruct even though they are bright and shiny inside and out. They will sometimes rust out between the laminations and leave a nice looking bore and outside with nothing but rust between them.

I'm a believer in proofing a Damascus shotgun before using it.