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There are a fair number of 280 20ga out there, 25", choked IC in both barrels. I've heard them referred to as "quail specials", but I don't think that was an official name.

The 30" 12's were all magnums. The only 12ga Ithaca SKB's I know of with 3" chambers. All came with a factory recoil pad. I wonder if that's a factory stock. I've never seen one with an adjustable comb.

Re the 385's: Greg, those late SKB imports (long after the Ithaca/SKB divorce) were the only SKB sxs in 28ga. The only problem with them is that they were basically set up as target guns. Heavy and built on 20ga frames. I don't recall any that were 30", although at the very end, before they stopped making sxs, they were making some interesting changes to their product line. They finally came out with guns that had a straight grip and a much smaller forend than the fat beavertail that the 280 wears. Also a nice oil finish. I field tested one of those in 20ga, thought it was a nice gun (although it was still single trigger only) . . . and then it all came to an end.

There were also Ithaca SKB sxs skeet guns, both 12 and 20ga. I've owned a couple. Should have held onto the Model 400 skeet 20 I had. That was a rare gun!

Mr. Brown, They were indeed marketed as "Quail Specials". I bought one of the 280E's in 1976 for $360 tax and all. It was the "Quail Special" ad (We actually had a few wild birds still around then) that first caught my imagination. Ended up with the i/c mod instead but still only 25" barrels. It did indeed live up to its name. On one of my last wild quail hunts here next to the mill, I killed 5 birds with two shots. (I try not to remember the "Dutch double" that was also a part of that day.) One of the Browning SBS might have been a better investment.

I presently have and occasionally shoot (at pheasants) an Ithaca/SKB 280E. A very nice gun to carry and to shoot, although at the very light weight I still can't imagine why it was ever chambered in 3 inch!! I also HAD a Model 100 12 gauge Magnum that I sold via the internet to an individual in Colorado if memory serves me correctly. Only AFTER I had told him my price and agreed on the deal did I discover that the particular gun I had was "somewhat rare/hard to find" and WOULD HAVE commanded a higher price. No matter. A deal is a deal. He was happy and I still felt good about myself!! Sure wish I had not gotten rid of that one though!!! Oh well!

Actually, after thinking about this a bit more, that gun may have been a Model 200, perhaps 200E?? Memory. What a terrible thing to lose!!

ninepointer, it just shows you what a "wonder drug" adrenaline is!

Perry, the Ithaca SKB 200's were all 200E's. The E stood for ejector during the SKB years. Later on--late 80's, when some SKB's came in under their own name (first SKB sxs with factory choke tubes)--they confused things because, although all the 200's were still ejector guns, they used 200E for the version that had a straight grip.

I have a Model 100 20 ga as a foul weather gun. great little shooter.

Thanks Larry. I was not aware that ALL the 200's were 200E's. That one that I let get away was one I should have kept, but hey, we've all had those kinds of moments in our gun trading lives!! The little 280E 20 gauge is a keeper. It is my rainy day 20 when I don't want to expose my Citori 20 or my BSS 20 or my Model 23 20 to the elements!! Heck, the biggest problem I have now with 20's is deciding which one I want to shoot on any given day. The weather this coming Saturday will decide which one I want to use on quail providing I don't take the little Ruger 28 gauge that I have become quite pleased with.