During this time D. M. Lefever worked on the development of the hammerless shotgun.

In 1878 he won first prize at the St. Louis Bench Show and Sportsman's Association for the best breech-loading shotgun in America.

He also patented the automatic ejector system which ejected the used shells when the breech was opened.

They continued to make fine hammerless shotguns, but could not compete with the larger Lefever Arms Company.

His remains are interred, with his wife (who died in 1898), in Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse.

The "Uncle Dan LeFever Cup" shoot-off is held annually during a LACA designated trap shoot event.

The highest scoring shooter wins a trophy engraved with the year the champion won.

Only LACA members, firing Lefever guns, are eligible for the award.

LACA held the 2nd Annual shoot-off during the June 2011 Nimrod Classic in Bozeman, MT.