Normally Chain Damascus barrels were a feature of the No. 3. My gut feeling is this was the likely scenario --
(Or someone said "hey, here's an extra set of
chain damascus barrels, let's throw them on this 1 1/2" - LOL)
In the January 1, 1916, catalogue Ithaca Gun Co. is still offering the full array of Twist and Damascus barrels. The next Ithaca Gun Co. catalogue I have is July 29, 1919, and there are no Twist or Damascus barrels offered. I snagged a couple of pictures of pages from a 1918 Ithaca Gun Co. catalogue off ebay and the No. 1 1/2 was only offered with steel barrels.
Sometimes there was more than a little disconnect between what was happening on the factory floor and what folks in the office were putting in the catalogues.
I believe Walter has sent his Flues era records to the McCracken Research Library at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. When they get them digitized and begin offering Ithaca letters is anyone's guess. You could call Mary Robinson, the Housel Director of the library and ask (307) 578-4080.
