I understand why Ithacas have not been that popular as a custom gun starting point. It is a combination of style and strength limitations. Fox shotguns have rounded sides where Ithacas Flues are so flat. The later Nids have sides more like the Fox but there are not that many of them to work with. I have considered doing a NID but never found the right gun to work with. That would be little finish remaining but a gun in otherwise good mechanical and metal shape. No one should take a high condition gun and use it as a custom gun because there are so few high grade guns. Flues are easier to find but starting with a 20 designed for a 2 1/2" shell makes me less than thrilled.
That said I have a 20 with 30" barrels which might be a good candidate if I can get over the short chambers and low pressure limitations.
