Should I clean this?

[whiterx]

I picked up a Lefever Nitro Special from an in law this weekend for $150.  I had never heard one before and when I was looking at it I didn't think it was worth over $50. The stock has some damage, little rust, pits, and a dent or two.  But it was family so I picked it up. 

 

Thanks to google I figured out that these are pretty collectable.  I'd like to clean this up a little bit.  Nothing crazy, just scrub all the crud off with a toothbrush and run a bore snake through it.  Could I damage it further by doing this? 

 

 

 

[No_0ne]

A basic cleaning and oiling doesn't hurt the value of guns, so long as it's limited to cleaning and not refurbishment.  The dents, nicks and other marks are part of the historicity and character of the gun, and should be left alone to preserve any collectable value ...

[whiterx]

Thank you for answering my question

[Murgatroy]

I am a sucker for a SxS so I wouldn't be able to resist cleaning it up, checking it out and wearing a bruise on my shoulder for a few days.

[runco]

Very nice gun.  I too am a sucker for these old sxs!  If cleaning them is bad, then I have been a bad person for a number of years.  As long as there no cosmetic repair made by someone from years past, go ahead clean away!  Some times stocks get cracked from a fall or something, and people used glue to repair.  Some gun chemicals will destroy the glue.  I will let you make 10% if want, ;)

[gregintenn]

Clean it and shoot it!

 

It isn't in collector condition, but is a quality double shotgun.

 

Early Lefever guns command a fortune. Later, Ithaca purchased the Lafever name and produced shotguns under both the Ithaca brand as well as the Lefever brand.

 

Although Ithaca is known for quality guns, and some Ithacas are quite pricey, the Ithaca made Lefevers aren't terribly expensive.

 

You got a real bargain there!

[whiterx]

Yeah this one isn't going to wind up in a show case anywhere.  Thanks for the insight fellas.  I think I'll turn my shoulder a nice shade of blue this weekend