doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ithaca NID 5E trap, my first double!

I am another who appreciates the originality of a nice vintage double but can, at the same time, find enjoyment shooting one which has been altered from its originality. I actually have a gun that has been done the same as yours, Raptor347. It is an A H Fox 32" BE grade. I bought it knowing it had been restocked and choke tubes added. I knew they were S-1 series Brileys and I had piles of them on hand I had acquired through gun trades, etc. So, I "took the bait" hoping for the best . . . . the best being a gun that I could shoot well at clays and birds. I was rewarded, and continue to be, by the purchase. No regrets, even after 15+ years. I would hazard a guess that many more nice doubles have had their barrels chopped off, for various reasons, than have been threaded for tubes. Once you get past the loss of originality there is zero downside to buying a restocked and tubed gun. It may turn out to be a real "gem".

A few pics of my gun and its' accomplishments.

If Ithaca could have installed choke tubes, when this gun was made, I am sure they would have offered it as an option. Choke tubes rescue many guns from being useless or safe queens. I have a couple doubles which previous owners have removed too much choke to have much use for my shooting. If they wall thickness remains I intend to have a couple of them have choke tubes installed, just to make give them new use. One is packed up as we speak, waiting for pickup. A British 30" 3" .410 hammer gun with cylinder and IC chokes. I'm going to have it choked with screw in chokes and if I like the result I'll restock it in a rather nice English blank sitting over my desk. The blank is nice but not exceptional blank. A gun for use, should have wood that is not too gaudy. I think it will make a killer Dove gun and a fun Sporting Clays gun.

It's definitely a gem. We have a weekly low key 50 bird sporting event at my club. Shot a 47 with it last Sunday, this one's a keeper!

A couple of photos for Brian:








Nicely engraved.

Best,
Ted

That's a handsome gun in a lot of ways. Not quite my style, but really well done. Congratulations.

Thank you. It's certainly not a field gun, but I spend far more time shooting clays than chasing birds (sadly).

I think it's time to find a nice little 20ga to chase quail and dove with. What hunting I do is mostly in California with my uncle. A 20 with good bismuth loads would suit nicely. Going to have to be a little less financially/emotionally valuable. Where we hunt, the field guns take a bit of abuse.