doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Late style Ithaca NID with a early serial #?

A friend is looking at a Ithaca NID 12 gauge with the later style frame (no cocking indicators) with a 431,xxx serial number. That serial numbers puts it at 1926. He says the numbers match on the frame, barrels, trigger guard, and forend iron. The only unusual thing is the "1" on the serial number on the frame appears to be stamped larger, like it was a mistake being covered. Even if that number was a "9" ir would still be a early frame. Thoughts?

The only way to know for sure would be to query the Cody Firearms Museum. They have the Ithaca factory records. But you have to pay for the research.

What Larry said, and thanks to Walt Snyder
https://centerofthewest.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/ithaca/

Yes, that’s a head-scratcher. The 3rd variation NID frames (without CI’s) did not exist until 1929 (as far as we know) so I have to believe that that is at least a 3rd variation frame. The 3rd variation was the depression era NID and production of this iteration was a fraction of the 1st and 2nd variation NID’s. The factory was barely staying open so it’s possible that what happened is that they were putting together “mix and match” guns with parts on hand. This very thing happened with the 5th variation NID’s after the war and there are all kinds of unusual guns out there.

I’d like to know if this NID has the short forend (1st & 2nd variations-7 9/16”) or the longer 3rd gen forend (8 9/16”)?

Also, does the frame have the engraved “stars” of the 3rd iteration?

If I were interested in this gun, I’d definitely get a letter but having personally seen those records there is at least an even possibility that it will just be one hand written line in the book and will not resolve this mystery.

And we’d be interested in some pictures if possible.

(BTW welcome aboard.)