doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ithaca - what do I have?

100% original config as you stated. many thanks.!!

I forgot to mention it was shipped early 1927. I love the Ithaca bordered checkering. One of the Hallams did it, the other didn't. I have never been able to determine which. I missed Clarence Hallam by a few weeks. He could have told me but he left for the checkering station in the sky before our interview. I also asked Bob Hallam, a younger nephew, but he didn't know. Oh, for a few minutes with some of these great craftsmen. But they did leave us testimony of their works and you have one of them. I know you will continue to look after it with loving care.

It sure seems from the higher grade (4E and above) 12-gauge NIDs I've seen over the years that the bulk of them were ordered out as double Trap guns, likely to go with a shooters Knick single?!?

All three 12-gauge NID Sousa's I've handled have been fully optioned target guns, two 32-inch Trap Guns, and the other a Skeet gun. The Skeet Gun was at Randy Shuman's years ago, and I imagine the same gun was some years later on Jack P's web site. One of the Sousa NID double Traps was at Jacqua's. Being far away from my notes I don't recall where the other was when I saw it.

I'm sure you've looked at more then I have, Walter. My gut feeling is that I've seen more vent ribbed NIDs then I've seen vent ribbed L.C. Smith, Parker Bros. and Ansley H. Fox doubles combined.

that is great information.

thanks again!

I agree that all the NID Sousas. Those I have been aware of were set up in trap configuration. And many of the 5s as well. I can't comment on other manufacturers as I have no experience with them. I have owned 5 7E NIDs 2 20s and 3 12s. One of the 20s was 'field' configuration, the other a trap configuration. Of the 12s, one was 'field, the other 2 trap configuration. I think in general, those who could afford a high grade could afford all the options and often took them needed or not. As to whether they shot targets is debatable. I am sure some did but my guess is most didn't. The 20 7E in 'trap configuration' was heavily used in the field as it came from the family with its history. Upon reflection, I would conclude that all guns ordered with all the options were not necessarily ordered with trap/skeet shooting in mind.

My limited experience mirrors Researcher's experience. I've seen a bunch of 4s and 5s in Trap configuration, hardly any in Skeet configuration, none in non ejector field configuration. Of course, Walt has seen more NID graded guns than even Researcher has. Either way, a non ejector Grade 4 NID in field configuration should be a bit of a rarity. It is surely a "find".

One of my late Grandfather's hunting and live pigeon shooting partners had a NID with the "snail ear cocking indicators" a 4E or perhaps higher grade 12 with 32" barrels, double triggers and ejectors-he used it for ducks, pheasants, dove and pigeons- don't know how it was choked, only say it a few times as a lad-but the wood to metal and the checkering was extremely well done-and he was a bachelor- treated that Ithaca like his first born-I believe he also had a high grade Knick single trap- but never saw it- his name was Noble Houck-wonder where those fine Ithacas are today-I'll love to own an Ithaca- saw a field grade NID 16 at a area gun show about a year ago-a "walk-around" for sale scene- rather than at a dealer table- asking $900- 28 inch barrels with DT and ejectors- looked almost Mint-don't know enough about that to know if it was refinished-but the balance and handling- owner said he though it was Full choke in both barrels, but I had no 16 ga. choke gauge with me, and here in MI the 16 has a small following- when I was station at Ft. Bragg (later Ft. Benning) many years ago, many of the base civilian employees would take us dove and or quail hunting, and I saw a lot of 16 L.C. Smiths and Ithacas being used-and used very effectively-great shotguns, all of them!!

I remember the Sousa Grade NID Skeet that Researcher mentioned. I wonder where it is today? Walt may know its new owner. I couldn't get too interested because it was a 26" 12 gauge, a combination that was starting to become unpopular just about the time it came on the market. If it had been a long barrel boomer, it would be at my house today. Other than the 26" barrels, it was some gun. I wonder why Researcher didn't buy it?

There were two 32 inch barreled Sousas that the factory couldn't sell. They re-barreled them to 26 inches for skeet. This gun was one of them. There is a man in Texas who owns 7 of the Sousas and was hoping to buy two others. If he was successful, that pretty much corners the market.

Walter;
Why wouldnt the factory sell the guns with both barrels...maybe at a discount...as long as the 32inchers were already fitted and finished to the receivers...