doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ithaca doubles. The last great frontier?

With the pricing of American doubles being what they are, even in this bad economy, it appears to me that Ithaca is the last great buy.
The NID guns are some of the most reliable I've shot out of what I will say are the "several" American doubles I own. When you start looking at quality engraving and wood work the guns made from 1900-1910 are masterfully done.

With the other American guns being so highly priced and prized I was curious if anyone felt the same regarding Ithaca?

Peace,
Scott

Not entirely OT, Scott, but I have no answer for my not wanting to own an Ithaca, clearly an American classic. I owned a M37 as a kid and think of Ithaca right up there in the pantheon of American double guns. Maybe we're both asking why is the Ithaca "the last great buy?"

Well said King. Why is Ithaca the last great buy indeed.

Perhaps because the Ithaca commpany lingered for so long the product does not have the aura of those from companies that met a much earlier and swifter demise, e.g. Parker, Fox, and L.C. Smith

I think a good part of the answer is that most commonly available Ithaca doubles are simply not as pretty as comparable guns from Parker, Smith and Fox. I have at least one of each, and the Ithaca (Flues 12) looks a bit clumsy next to the others. Fabulous wood on the Ithaca, though, for a field gun. The higher grade Ithacas can hold their own with the competition.

I believe Pete Hiatt coined the phrase " butt ugly" to describe the Ithaca doubles ( and M21s ) from time to time.

I wouldn't go to that extreme- but the guns cosmetic design may not be as appreciated as " prettier" guns.

The lack of comparative aesthetics might contribute to the lower demand , as value and utility are not always the key considerations for the purchase of " investment" or even "traditional" pursuits.

The practicality and dependability of the NIDs are without question, but for those that decide to use doubles and have the discretionary income to allow for more than just value, other amenities come into play ( feel/wood/look/wood/engraving even " panache")--- Ithacas may not put their best foot forward in these areas / hence lower demand/price for these very capable doubles.
best regards,
JBP

No doubt I agree with all the comments. I do however believe the earlier graded Ithacas, 1900-1912, had some of the finest detail to engraving and craftsmanship. They did for sure have a long run compared to the other makers.

Also their reputation for cracking and the common internal problems so often mentioned could be a reason for their large turnover rate............

Found this bit of info on the NID of which I own one in 12g

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.

Somewhere I've read that action bars cracked in the smaller gauge Flues (thin walls) but I've seen a lot of 12s and 16s that seem to be going strong in the takes a lickin and keeps on kickin dept. Engraving a graded Flues must have been like painting a bus. Early Ithaca engraving (the flash bravura get er did school) can be pretty flamboyant altho there seemed to be some choking up on the tool over birds and dogs. But who's seen a decent bird on a Parker? At least they knew how to move metal with a graver rather than a scratch awl and it shows! The Flues SBT is also a wonderful expression of young America. Mixes sophistication with naivete in the art dept. NIDs seem to me to be curiously unattractive even in the highest grades and I don't have a clue why?

jack