There were some issues with the early big tens. Was it Askins' gun that had the annoying habit of popping open on firing??

Jack O'Connor contributed to the misinformation that Ithacas were less expensive than the other "classic" American doubles. Although he liked Ithacas, he wrote in his "Shotgun Book": "However, the Ithaca sold for about half what the other companies got for a corresponding grade." That was pretty much true if the "other company" in question happened to be Parker. But Ithaca, LC Smith, and Fox prices were all quite close.