Two years ago, I acquired at auction the Nichols & Lefever back-action 10- gauge waterfowler, s/n 5759, shown in the first picture below. The gun is in high original condition. The non-re- bounding sidelocks are nicely machined and appear to be of British manufacture. The English walnut stock has some figure, good grain alignment, and 22-point checkering. It shows only a few handling marks, and the wood is solid both on the outside and behind the locks. The 31-inch

barrels are made of laminated-steel and have 2-7/8-inch chambers. They retain over 95% of the

original finish, although somewhat faded, and have no dents or pitting. The engraving is near

pristine with realistic game-scene vignettes on both sidelocks. The gun weighs over 10 pounds

and throws a pattern with about 80% of the pellets striking above the point of aim, as was typical

of British waterfowlers. The gun locks up tight and is on-face. The serial numbers stamped on

the receiver, locks, and barrels at the time of their manufacture are all 759. The serial number

engraved on the trigger guard is 5759.