I can't find the answer in the 1991 book, so I thought I'd better ask. Re: Walt: Re: Knick SBT equipped with the "Sunburst" pad
From the factory -- what year did they start putting the aluminum spacer between the wood and the pad? I recently purchased a beautiful 1949 gun with non-original pad and can't decide whether to fit your it with the al spacer or not. Also, this gun has the ebony insert in the forearm wood where my other (later) Knicks do not.
Any info on when they stopped doing this?
Thanks
Perly88,Albuquerque,N.M.
The aluminum backing appeared during the 1949/1950 time frame as I recall. I have a Knick made in 1953 that does not have the wedge so, with your 1949 gun that does narrows the window. I have no documentation on the wedge issue.
Enjoy your Knicks!
The ebony insert. My own notes, just comparing details against serial numbers, suggests that the ebony disappeared some time after 1931. Makes sense. By that time people had determined that the depression was for real and cost-cutting was in order. Having said all that, I do have a note that identified a solitary 1949 gun with the wedge. Everyone cautions you to never say "never."
You see a few other details, like subtly less expansive engraving. Up through '31 the back end of the rib was raised above the breech and, when looking at it from above, was nicely rounded - that went away.
The trail is pretty thin between about 1931 and 1946 because there just aren't that many examples out there.
Those aluminum base pads. I am always amazed that they had a glue 65 years ago that held up so well. I've not seen a single Ithaca pad loose from the aluminum.
I own a 1938 Knick 5E with the wedge. The op said his 1949 Knick has the wedge.
Only indirectly related to the "aluminum" question, but, when was the Sunburst pad first used?
The September 23, 1950, Ithaca Gun Co. price list still shows the black base pad. The Fall-Winter, 1950-1951 Price List shows the Ithaca Aluminum Base Recoil Pad --
