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1902 Lewis Model

PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 4:56 pm
by Flues16
Here is my Lewis Model, 12ga - serial number 62xxx, 30" nitro steel barrels.
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Not bad condition for over 110 years old. Out of respect for its age, I haven't fired it. The chambers are 2 3/4". Anyone out there have one they still shoot?

Re: 1902 Lewis Model

PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:30 pm
by BPskeeter
That's real beauty! :D
Glad to have you on the forum.
I shoot a "Fletcher Special", which is really an early model of the Lewis, and I love it!
My gun has Damascus barrels, and I had to have the chambers opened up to 2 3/4". I shoot mostly skeet and some 5-stand with it, so I use a light 7/8 oz load that runs just a bit over 1000 fps, and it will break every bird if I do my part.

Re: 1902 Lewis Model

PostPosted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:09 pm
by Flues16
Thanks, BP! It is a pleasure to be here. How does a "Fletcher Special" differ from a later Lewis model?
As I mentioned, my Lewis has nitro steel barrels which might be a little surprising for a gun made in 1902. Given your experience, I'll probably try some light loads in my gun. Seems a shame for a nice old gun to be silenced forever...

Re: 1902 Lewis Model

PostPosted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 6:59 am
by BPskeeter
Fletcher Hardware contracted with Ithaca to make the guns with their name on it. Serial # has it in the Crass range, but after I bought another Crass and compared them, we found that it actually is a Lewis. Seems that Ithaca was already experimenting with a new design in 1900, but if there were problems, it wouldn't look bad on them.
There's pictures of it over on the Crass forum.

As for the light loads, I use a CCI 209 primer, 21 grains of PB powder and 7/8 oz of shot. I'll shoot that load all day long even in Damascus barrels. :)