Active from 1883 to 1916, Lefever Arms was the home of "Uncle Dan" Lefever, the arms innovator responsible for both the hammerless shotgun and automatic shell ejection. The Optimus was the top grade offered by the firm at the turn of the century, combining the best in then-extant American sporting arms technology with fantastic furniture and decoration. The shotgun offered here was upgraded in the late 29th Centruy to duplicate the aforementioned grade, of which it is not. Single white bead front sight on the lightly grooved rib, with light geometric engraving on the dolls-head extension, border engraving, a gold band and a 1 3/8 inch engraved wedge at each breech, "Lefever Arms Co." on the right barrel, "Whitworth Fluid Steel" on the left. The frame shows nearly 100% coverage of fine engraving, with scroll patterns overall, floral patterns on the screws and deeply cut on the recoil shields, "LEFEVER ARMS CO" on each lockplate, "Optimus" on the water table and the patent dates on the underside. Each lockplate is gold inlaid with a retriever in a field scene in the center and a game bird towards the front, a dove on top of the break lever, a duck in flight over a marsh on the underside and a dog at rest on the triggerguard. Both lockplates also have a small downward step at the rear which aligns with a matching step in the stock, and the action is fitted with a selective tang safety, golden pin cocking indicators and a single gold finished trigger canted for a right-handed pull and crisply checkered. The stock is extra-fancy French walnut with scroll accented and scalloped-bordered checkering, with a carved horn tip inlay and engraved hardware on the splinter forearm, pistol grip with a combination horn and gilt plate grip cap, and a checkered naked flat butt with horn panels at the toe and heel. Measurements: weight - 6 pounds 9.2 ounces, choke - cylinder and improved cylinder, chambers - 2 3/4 inches, drop at comb - 1 1/2 inches, drop at heel - 2 1/2 inches, length of pull - 14 3/8 inches.

Very fine as professionally upgraded refurbished, with 98% of the blue finish, showing some minor detail loss of the breech engraving and minimal handling marks. Around 60% of the bright case colors are visible on the frame, with a smooth gray patina on the lower tang, brown spotting on the trigger guard, and crisp engraving. The wood is very good, with a mended crack on the upper right side of the stock near the frame, some light handling marks, crisp carving and checkering and attractive grain. Mechanically excellent.