Just a little more on the Ithaca guys.
To clarify, they “like” Lefevers, they don’t plan to build one. I talked more to the engineer today and we discussed the planned side by side. It will not be an NID. It will be a whole new design using a new technology to put the barrels together. I asked how he proposed to do the ribs and he said that was the part he hadn’t worked out yet. They plan to have the gun out by next SHOT show or earlier. They assured me that this would not work out like the Ruger Gold Label. The planned price is $2,500.00
My impression of the over under is that it seems like a really nice gun. It seems more substantial than an SKB and sounds a whole lot better when it closes. No ribs between the barrels. The barrels and rib are dovetailed at the muzzles and can adjust for heat expansion. Triggers are nice, the gun has a very solid feel and a somewhat nostalgic look though not really like anything exactly.
Here are some of my notes from our conversations:
It took 3 months to design and 6 weeks to build the over under. The stanchions for the vent rib are machined into the barrel. There is no solder or brazing in the barrels. The barrels are dovetailed together at the front and fit into the receiver monoblock with a new process that is not public knowledge, yet. They told me there are 6 patents applied for in the receiver.
The price is $2,500.00 and they tell me they are sure they can make it profitably at that price. It’s impossible to be sure looking at a prototype, but it looks good to me. I plan to tour the plant soon.
The stanchions for the rib on the Model 37 are also machined into the barrel. The 28 gauge 37 was a complete redesign since all the pivot points changed on the smaller frame. The Supreme grade gun weighs 5.7 pounds and costs $3,495.00 It’s hand, deep relief engraved by Bill Mains and Gold inlaid with 3 quail and a setter on each side. The dogs on the gun belong to Dave Dluvak, the owner of the company.
The guys build the gun much as I’ve pictured gunmaking in the past. They were careful to convey that this is a team effort and were worried that I would leave someone out when I write the story.
The cost of the 37 is $859.00 base model with rib. $100 less for a plain barrel and 999.00 on the 28 gauge.
“We had to completely reengineer the gun, all the pivot points change. The only common parts with the other guns are the trigger and the safety. The trigger has to be reshaped to fit within the guard.” Darren Welsh, the engineer, said. “It took 5 weeks to design and 6 weeks to prototype. All the prototype parts worked. That’s what you see here.”
