Side Lever Cocking Shotguns

[St. Louis Suomi SASS #31905]

Howdy:

 

Seems that there are those who feel these guns that use cocking levers are somehow "Not Authentic" enough for use in CAS. Here are a couple paragraphs that might open their eyes a bit:

 

1876
John Nichols, another local shooter and business man, buys out Barber
and forms Nichols and Lefever. They continue to make breechloading
rifles and shotguns. In the meantime D.M. Lefever is working on a
hammerless system involving a lever on the side to cock the firing pins
after the breech is closed. In 1878 a hammerless breechloading shotgun
was awarded First Prize for the best breechloading shotgun in America at
the St. Louis Bench show and Sportsman's Association.

1879
Nichols and Lefever split. Nichols along with N&L superintendent
J.W. Livingston continue to make guns from leftover N&L parts for
another years or so. D.M. Lefever sets himself up as D.M. Lefever and
concentrates on hammerless, cocking lever guns to separate himself from
Nichols who made hammer guns.

 

Furtheremore,, there are many ENglish guns that use side levers to cock and the 1873 Remington uses a side lever. So what is the problem with these guns? I see a valid type of pre-1898 firearm.

 

STL Suomi

[Mack Hacker, #60477]

Looking for a debate over what "some people feel"?

 

I'm moving along, nothing to see here.

[St. Louis Suomi SASS #31905]

Howdy MH:

 

Not looking for an arguement; just looking for opinions. Is that OK with you? :-)

 

STL Suomi

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Have you read the rules? Where in the rules do you find that these are not allowed? Double barrel shotguns with side levers that you press down to open are certainly legal. Maybe you should post a photo to make sure we are all on the same page. What someone "feels" is irrelevant. What is relevant are the rules.

[St. Louis Suomi SASS #31905]

Howdy Larsen:

 

Never said that they were not allowed. I am only stating that there hav e been many who have believed that they were somehow not quite appropriate. I have always used them - probably always will. For some reason there are those who want to make more of what I stated than there is. I certainly appreciate your statement that the rules do not forbid them. I knew that, I am just wondering why some believe them to be "not authentic" or in-approprite. THey were most certainly available and in use by some of the most prominent shotgun makers of the time - LeFever -s not a johnny jump up Belgian made cottage industry whiz bang (OK - there are some fine Belgian made shotguns). The point I was trying to make was Why some believe them to be un-authentic. I guess a discussion on the merits of same is verbotten. I have two "opinions" now - neither of which is on the topic. But thanks again for your thoughts. I guess this is a hot button for some - so we can agree to just let this topic die.

 

STL Suomi

Edited September 10, 2013 by St. Louis Suomi SASS #31905

[Rance - SASS # 54090]

Howdy Larsen:

 

Never said that they were not allowed. I am only stating that there hav e been many who have believed that they were somehow not quite appropriate. I have always used them - probably always will. For some reason there are those who want to make more of what I stated than there is. I certainly appreciate your statement that the rules do not forbid them. I knew that, I am just wondering why some believe them to be "not authentic" or in-approprite. THey were most certainly available and in use by some of the most prominent shotgun makers of the time - LeFever -s not a johnny jump up Belgian made cottage industry whiz bang (OK - there are some fine Belgian made shotguns). The point I was trying to make was Why some believe them to be un-authentic. I guess a discussion on the merits of same is verbotten. I have two "opinions" now - neither of which is on the topic. But thanks again for your thoughts. I guess this is a hot button for some - so we can agree to just let this topic die.

 

STL Suomi

Ain't a hot button fer me..

But...

I think I would start by askin' the Many and the Some... Your talkin' about..

Are they pards ya shoot with??

Just tell'em they are period correct and let them get over it...

Folks here seem ta think they're ok I reckon..

 

Rance

Probably shouldn't have started thinkin' on this one..

[Hawkshaw Fred SASS #36811]

Oh no No NO NO NO A sidelever is certainly NOT period correct and should NEVER be used in CAS Shooting!! Bad bad EVIL----Soooo tell you what, you just send that awful old Nichols LeFever, made by Uncle Dan on down here to Texas and I'll 'dispose' of it for you!<sarcasm font off>

 

Seriously there is nothing I can find that there is ANY problem using a sidelever in CAS and being an avid LeFever collector I salute you for even having one and knowing what it is!

[Mack Hacker, #60477]

Howdy MH:

 

Not looking for an arguement; just looking for opinions. Is that OK with you? :-)

 

STL Suomi

You missed my point. As a classic double fan, I read and enjoyed your post. Just didn't want to hang around the thread and get involved in the fallout that would result by the reference to how "people feel" about whether a certain item is or is not period correct.

[Tom Bullweed]

I shoot an original Remington 1878 Lifter hammered SxS. These old classic guns are fun to watch and use, but I am much faster (relative to my speed) with my internal hammered Steoger or AWA. The rules are intended to prevent unfair advantages, of which none is gained with the sidecocker.

[Noz]

We had one shooter that alway used an underlever. Lots of style points, little speed.

[Waimea]

I, for one, would stop dead in my tracks and stare (maybe even point) at someone using a sidelever double!

 

 

I think they are COOL.

 

I had never seen one before until I started pokin around on Gunbroker.

Still never seen one in person or held one in my own hands.

 

 

Waimea

 

[Hogleg Hunter]

I have an underlever hammered double made by Husquevarna that I have been toying with shooting at a monthly match. It only shoots 2-1/2" shells which is common for european guns. Looks good next to my 72 Open Tops.

 

 

 

We had one shooter that alway used an underlever. Lots of style points, little speed.

[Harvey Mushman]

I'm not sure just who yer pards are that are questioning you on this?

 

As a classic double fan, I've NEVER heard anyone say anything negative about them, only WOW, COOL, NEAT, etc!!!!!

[Harvey Mushman]

I'm not sure just who yer pards are that are questioning you on this?

 

As a classic double fan, I've NEVER heard anyone say anything negative about them, only WOW, COOL, NEAT, etc!!!!!

EDIT: Especially with BP!!!

[Nate Kiowa Jones #6765]

get no argument from me.

 

Been using them for sometime now.

This is the long one.

[Nate Kiowa Jones #6765]

here's the short one.

[Waimea]

Here's a drilling on GB that I got the hots for.

 

 

Waimea