Page 1 of 2
1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 4:30 pm
by Silvers
Shooting with the gang today at Rock Mountain and I fielded a new to me G Grade Syracuse Lefever made in ~1903, 12-gauge, uncut 28" tubes with Light Mod and Strong Mod chokes. Probably ordered for the uplands at just a fraction under 7 pounds. She has Damascus barrels and I used a favorite 1-ounce load of 7-1/2's pushed by single-base "PB" powder at about 1150 speed and 5500 psi. I fired 53 shells and she broke 52.
I was alternating stations while shooting a Model 12 20-gauge pump gun and 7/8 ounce commercial loads. The Winny also did pretty well, although not quite up to that 117 year old Lefever that will be grouse hunting with me this fall.
First pic also includes my CV19 mask made by my wife from throwback early 70's peace sign fabric. It was a hit with my shooting buddies.
frank
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 4:49 pm
by Stan Hillis
Fabulous shooting, Frank, with a "new to you" gun at that. She's not
just a looker is she?
Best, SRH
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 5:30 pm
by DarylC
Nice combo of guns Frank. It would be tough to choose between the two. Does the M12 have a vent rib?
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 5:56 pm
by Jeff S
Nice looking gun Frank, and that's mighty fine shooting.

I haven't been out yet.
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 6:06 pm
by Researcher
Always good to see the great stuff you bring to the course, Frank.
Saturday was my first trip to the Spokane Gun Club in two months. Opened this week to members only, two days a week, with a one hour reservation for a field, and no more then three people on a field. Still nice to get out and shoot a couple of rounds of skeet. Have to admit I used a 20-gauge Superposed though.
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 6:17 pm
by Silvers
Thanks everyone. Daryl, yes the Winchester M-12/20 has a Simmons Vent Rib and is factory choked Modified. Dave, good you can get out shooting with your Superposed. I've got a Browning Lightning o/u in 20-gauge/28" I bought new in 1994 that's hiding in the back corner of the safe. I'll probably have her out in coming weeks.

Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 8:33 am
by SPE33
Checkering is still nice and sharp and I really like like the case colors on those Lefever guns.Anyone have an idea what process they used?
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Mon May 18, 2020 10:15 am
by Fin2Feather
What happened on #53

Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Tue May 19, 2020 9:06 am
by Silvers
#53 was a hit. I only had 53 shells done up and the one miss was about half way through the batch. I alternated with the Model 12 20-bore for the other 47 birds.
Here's another honest Syracuse Lefever with a late '19 season cock bird taken on opportunity while walking to a grouse cover. This one is a 12-gauge G Grade Ejector, 1908 gun as I recall, with original/uncut 26" steel tubes choked 1/4 and 3/4. The papers are my reloads with #7 shot. frank
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 1:43 pm
by 49packard
Nice guns Frank,
Best wishes to you with your shooting! I wish I could shoot as well. Enjoy. Brian
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 11:46 am
by Mike of the Mountain
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 12:41 pm
by Silvers
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 1:57 pm
by TOOL MAN
WE
all know who!!!!!

- Dr Evil sunbathing.......jpg (9.62 KiB) Viewed 9238 times
Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 9:49 am
by Mike of the Mountain
At least I'm out shooting and not sitting on the sidelines!! Even have to use a Fox that malfunctions at times!!

Besides, just like Ron Bloomberg, it's great being a free agent and going to a WINNER!!!

Re: 1903 Syracuse Lefever struts her stuff
Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 11:01 am
by DarylC