Ithaca, L C Smith, Baker & perhaps others as well all made some guns which were "Branded" & sold through Hardware chains. These even though the field grades of these makers are still normally considered a "Cut Above" what we generally call a "Hardware Store Gun" IE Crescent, Folsom etal. Looks like Joe wasn't quite so idiotic after all, now was he.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra