doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Common/Uncommon

I'm looking at a graded Ithaca 20 bore with 24 inch barrels. Can anyone here give me an idea of how common or uncommon this barrel length is. I've seen lots of 28 and 26 inch barrels but I don't recall seeing more that a couple that seemed shorter than 26 inches. Iv'e read that they could be ordered at that length.

Not unheard of, very rare. That said, this rarity does not translate into a high price.

Thanks Daryl, I know that price/value is dependent upon allot of factors, but all things being equal, do you think that a percentage factor may apply here? If I go ahead with the purchase, I'd like to be somewhat educated. I really like this gun, and the price is reasonable, so any premium that 24" barrels may add would matter little. I'm basically just curious regarding scarcity.

Personally, 24 inch , even rare, do not add value. Maybe worth a bit less than other lengths. Styles change, noting very long barrels bring a premium today, but brought less than shorter barrels a few decades ago.

A collector wishing to add a special gun to his collection may be inclined to spend more for an authenticated 24 inch barreled gun but I think the average shooter would shy away for a non-standard barrel length.

I remember an Ithaca 28 gauge skeet gun with 24" barrels and no safety. I can't remember the grade, this was 1975, but the gun was $800 at the old Buckhorn Trading Post on Main Street in Dallas.

Ithaca Gun Co. actually catalogued 24" barrels on smallbore Flues Models for a period. Early 1915 Ithaca Gun Co. catalogue --



As I recall Walter showed pictures of a 22-inch barrel NID "Upland Special" with its original hang tag in one of his books. Something I've never seen offered in an Ithaca Gun Co. catalogue!!

All the original 24 inch Ithacas I have seen ( 2 of them) were grade 4 guns. I would be suspect if it was not at least a grade 2 but that is just my opinion. As far as value.... I would judge condition and originality and then value it less than I would a 28,30, or (lord help me) a 32 inch 20 ga gun.

Austin,
You say "graded". May I ask what grade?

28ga's with 24"ers don't seem uncommon. Never have seen a 20ga with 24" barrels but I'm sure there are plenty around. When I was younger, the wippy 24-26" guns had a lot of appeal. Now that I'm older and slower, I find that "slow is smooth and smooth is fast" so 28" + is preferable. At least that is what I tell myself.

If you enjoy the shorties, go for it. Now if its a gr3 + I'd look hard at it with any length original barrels in a 20ga. My opinion, no premium for the 24's, if anything subtract.

Let us know where you go with it. Love those Flues.

Walt documented a 22" ten gauge Flues for me. Oddly, I later located another one. I didn't buy either one.