I wouldn't own a LC Smith if someone gave it to me. Talk about a whacked design. The only gun I know of that most good stockmakers and some gunsmiths wont touch. Call Abe Chaber and ask him what he thinks of Smiths....then call Paul Hodgins and ask him what he thinks of Smiths...A Baker Batavia has more appeal to me than a Smith A-1. Elsies....can you say "overrated"??
Ithacas were never cheap guns. Take a look at the old catalogs and compare prices. Ithaca's were strong, somewhat simple and innovative (read up on the Flues lock time) and the engraving, wood work, etc were second to none. The checkering on mid and high grade Ithacas is a thing to behold and the engraving on the high grade guns....spectacular. The sculpting of the Crass action in grades 4 and above is art in itself. NID's are the best value out there in American double guns bar none. For some reason...I dont see anyone turning down a 4E or higher (especially a Sousa grade)Ithaca gun if it were being "given" to them. Gimme a break.
This is a pic of my 14 year old sons bird gun, a 16 bore, Ithaca NID, circa 1936, 6 lbs. 6 oz. 28" bbls. Used, but gently, insides are like new. I'm into this gun for right around a grand. Thanks Walt Snyder.
A couple of things the Remington 94's and 1900's don't have going for them is the shape of the action and the graded guns are hard to find and extremely rare. The action on a Remmy really is just a big bulky box. The guns are hell for stout, the internals nicely finished, but the actions are just not very appealing. I like em, have friends that own them, but they are just not for me.
Dustin
