I find the butt plate on the early Smith of interest(the one on the left of JDW's post) Here is one from an 1892 high grade Ithaca Crass model that appears pretty much identical.

The Smith boys were bothers. Perhaps they shared some butts. I have never seen this plate on any other Ithacas. Was it widely used on high grade Smiths?

Last edited by Walter C. Snyder; 05/20/11 10:57 AM.
Walter c. Snyder