Trying to find info on a shotgun that I acquired several years ago. No model number stamped on it. Both sides of the receiver are stamped Ithica Gun Company, Ithica, NY

Barrels are marked "Smokeless Powder Steel"

"Made in U. S. A. "

Looks like a basic field grade gun. Anyone know anything about these shotguns? Serial #455xxx

Thanks

Barrels are marked 2 and 4. Not sure what that means...

There's lots of folks that know a lot about "Ithaca" guns around here. 2 & 4 are the factory choke markings which would have made it Modified and Full as it left the factory.

-jmc

2 being modified and 4 being full? The barrel marked 4 seems slightly tighter with a cleaning patch

Sounds like you have a Field Grade NID Model Ithaca from around 1929 or 30. I don't have Walter Snyder's book here in Kodiak to check the exact year. During that era the Field Grades were what is called nowadays the "Star Model" --



The NID Model Ithaca replaced the Flues Model in 1926, with serial numbers beginning at 425000. The NID was designed to handle modern SAAMI spec ammunition. About 46000 NIDs were made from 1926 to 1948.

This looks to be the same shotgun Researcher. It does in fact have the same stars on the receiver as well as the engraved pointers that are on your pictured shotgun above

Found this information on a Shotgun website:

Not sure of the accuracy of the information

The Field Grade Ithaca NID was one of the classic American doubles. It was introduced in 1925 (replacing the Flues model) and remained the mainstay of the line until the Ithaca Gun Company discontinued all double gun production in 1948. These Ithaca NID Field Grade doubles were solid, workmanlike guns that will still serve modern shooters well, although their stocks usually have more drop than modern stocks. Gun fit is a personal matter and is something to which any prospective buyer should pay close attention. Try before you buy.

The NID was an improved Ithaca boxlock action that featured a rotary bolt locking system and a strengthened frame. NID Field Grade guns typically came with fluid steel barrels suitable for modern shells (but not steel shot), color case hardened receivers with a roll stamped game scene, double triggers, plain extractors, solid rib, and a checkered walnut pistol grip stock. Gauges were 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410.

Today all but the 12 and 16 gauges are primarily of interest to collectors, who have driven the price of the small gauge guns beyond what most shooters are willing to pay. The NID was also produced in many other grades with increasingly fancy features, decoration, and wood. Except for the Grade I, which is similar to the Field Grade, these higher-grade guns are usually out of the affordable price range. Even NID Field Grade guns were produced with variations.

When first introduced the NID Field Grade just had the dog logo roll-stamped on the sides of the frame --



About 1927 or 8 Ithaca added the "stars" to the Field Grade, though they are not shown until the 1929 Ithaca Catalogue --



Around 1935, Ithaca dropped the cocking indicators from the NID, and went to some squiggly border engraving and some nice matting on the top of the breech. They also dropped the Deeley latch from the forearms of the extractor guns and used just the Baker J-spring.



After WW-II Ithaca dropped the border engraving --

As per Walt's book, Serial# range 454600 - 457299 were 1929 New Ithaca Doubles.HTH Bob

Looks like that puts this shotgun right in the 1929 vintage era.

Thanks Bob