doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ithaca NID 12 GA 4E

I recently inherited an Ithaca NID 12ga 4E. I know it's been fired but looks like it never has been. It has two sets of barrels (I believe they are 26" & 32" long) and the original leather case. The s/n is 453723 which puts it in the 1928 catagory, but I have read that s/n's were sometimes taken in blocks from a particular year, then not manufactured for up to 5 years later. Is there any way to find out what year it actually hit the market?

Ultimately what I'm hoping someone can tell me is should I keep this under the proverbial lock and key($$$$) or is the corner of the closet($) ok?

Thanks,
Greg

Greg: You've inherited a very fine shotgun that deserves to be well cared for and used well. Enjoy your good fortune. TT

Greg,
Definitly "lock and key"!! You have inherited a great an valuable gun. If it is original and as you describe I would place value between $5000 and $100000.
Bob Jurewicz

Your gun was shipped in 1929 to Phil Beckeart(wrong spelling but I am 800 miles from my records, will correct it when I get home). Phil was a San-Francisco dealer. Be sure not to disturb the case colors. I am reminded of the time when I was at the gun club when two young fellows came in sporting a Grade 5E Ithaca. They borrowed it from an elderly neighbor and "cleaned it up." the BonAmi was still in the engraving where they proudly rubbed off all the 'tarnish." They also 'rubbed off" about $1000 in value. I will comment further next week. Enjoy your American treasure.

Philip Bekeart was the person who conceived the first Smith and Wesson .22/32 Target Model revolver in 1910. He convinced S&W to make the gun by placing an order for 1000 of them. This is the model that evolved into the still popular and heavier K22 "Outdoorsman", later the Model 17. The original round barrel target gun that Bekeart proposed to S&W was and still is referred to by shooters and collectors as the Bekeart Model.

Although moving further from Lucky 1's original posting, more on Phil Bekeart's revolvers. I've read that he (or S & W) gave the first "dozen or so" of these revolvers to well known shooters for evaluation. In the early 1960s, at the Vegas show, I bought serial #2 with "A. O. Niedner, Malden, Mass" stamped on the barrel in two lines. I don't know if this just means he owned it, or if he perhaps changed the barrel. Grips are extended beyond the frame, similar to those on 1891 S & W single shot pistols.

Walter,
Any and all info you could give me about my father's (now mine) Ithaca would be greatly appreciated. I am sure that he would love hearing about it, since this inheritance was done while he is still alive. He grew up in Oakland, so a dealer in San Francisco makes sense.

Thanks all,
Greg

Lucky1, congratulations! I also have NID 4E..it's SN#435890 and my father gave this to me as well but he also inherited it from his dad.

I selected not to keep it as a safe queen but have used it for upland game hunting for years (but carefully :-) ). It is truly a great field arm and is my favorite.

Again, congrats on a great piece of family and American history.

I recently picked up a 12g 4E NID at a local gun show. #443,555. It is a 32" vent rib choked .024/.035, btfe and single selective trigger gun. Can anyone tell me where I can get some history on this gun?

Here's one that sold recently:

http://rogerbain.com/catalog/product_inf...6f117f543b4a67f

OWD