The first Ithaca 5E Knick was serial #402559 made in 1941.

Serial # for Ithaca Knick models were
400000 through 402789 - 1922 through 1944.
( info released by Ithaca before going out of business)

So your gun was made after 1944. Thats as close as I can
get with the references I have. HTH BOB


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