doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ithaca Gurus

I am looking at a NID 20 which I have asked about before from this augusut body regarding price. But the real question is about the barrels. The gun,with cocking indicators, looks to be in good shape. Disregarding the cut stock it is probably in 40% condition. But, the barrels are 26 and a smidgen( scientific term) long. They appear right at the ends and the barrels essentially touch at the muzzle. I have not been able to inspect with a bore gauge but there is more constriction in the left barrel than the right.
My primary question is how did Ithaca construct the chokes on these guns. How long was the forcing cone on the choke and was there a parellel section and if so, how long was the parellel section. My concern is if the barrels have been cut that, even with the approximately two inchec cut off, there would still be more constriction on the left at the muzzle.
Ok, any information will be appreciated. I will sit back and prepare to be dazzled. Regards, Jake

Jake, Waly Snyger is the Ithaca guru on this board as well as anywhere else. Naybe he'll sign on and see your post -- he could answer any wuestions you may have. How about it Mr. Walt, you out there ?

Boy, I better start wearing my glasses when typing --- make that "Walt Snyder". Sorry Mr. Walt

Jake, Two of my Ithacas have 26" bbls, and both seem to be original. One is a 12 ga Flues with 0 and 2 chokes, Cyl and mod. The other is a late NID 20 ga with 1 and 2 chokes, IC and mod. I have no way to measure the choke length on them, but both touch at the muzzle and look original to me.
Curtis

My experience with NIDs shows that the early guns, like the Flues before them, can be a little off in barrel length. I've got one that Walter has vetted as being in the records as 30-inch and it is actually 30 3/16 inch. That is the most off I've found. Also, it has been my experience that the NIDs from 1926 to 1935 that I've run a bore mic in have been overbored while those from 1936 on have been true to gauge and dead on the even barrel lengths.

Jake: Here's a copy of a post from a previous thread about choke length-
"Researcher and others from the PGCA responded to a request for information in regard to length of choke constriction:
16g Parker guns made from 1891 to 1927 with chokes from .002 to .040 all demonstrated a choke length of 1 1/2" to 2". Dave M provided some excellent data from the PGCA showing that in full choke 12g. Parkers, the choke was bored with between .007-.010 constriction between 4 and 2 inches with the remainder of the constriction in the last 2 inches. This is similar to what was found in a limited sample of 12g. Lefever, Remington, and Ithaca guns. A single Baker 16 had 1 1/2".
It appears possible for a 16g Fox gun to have had the brls cut 2" and still have some choke constriction. Fox 16-gauge doubles made in 28', 33', and 37' were found to have chokes about 3 1/2 inches long in the tighter choked barrels BUT a 36' 32-inch barrel A-grade had full chokes of only 2 1/2 inches. A 1937 16ga Sterlingworth choked .004 & .014 had constriction beginning 1 7/8" from Rt muzzle, 2 1/2" from Lt."

Walt no doubt will be along with the answer.

BTW: on p. 394 of the new L.C. Smith book, it shows a 1 9/16" choke taper leading to a 1" parallel section.

My 12 gauge NID 4E 32" barrels has left full at 0.035", 2 1/2" long taper, and almost no parallel. The right is 0.020", 2" taper, and no parallel. Both are right on 0.729" bore.

Jake, what is its serial number?

Mr. Snyder,

I recently bought Ithaca Flues 20 gauge, 4E, #194029, fluid steel, double triggers, pistol grip. I was told that the 24" barrels are original length (look cut to me) per a letter the seller can't locate now. From the 13" length of pull, I suspect it was for a woman or young person. Weight is under 5 1/2 pounds. Gold shield in stock "LWA", supposedly a SoCal connection.

Action is silver plated, with most of the silver remaining. Engraving, (correct for pre-1915, per your book) is dog scenes on sides, quail on floorplate, woodcock on trigger bow.

Checkering worn, so it has been carried. Do you have any information on this gun?

Thanks,

Terry

Jake, to ease your pain I checked a 20 NID that I have that has 28" tubes but otherwise is a close twin to the one you are looking at. Its serial# is 443262, both barrels are .614 bore and are marked 4 on each barrel flat; the chokes on each tube start at 2 1/4" from the end. both barrels have about .004 at 2"
. You really need to remove the barrels and check the choke marking on the barrel flats, 1= 1/4 choke, 2= 1/2 choke, 3= 3/4 choke 4= full choke. If you get the serial Walt can tell you how it left the Ithaca plant.

Jim A.