[gburner]

Good evening to everyone and an early
'Happy St. Paddy's Day' to you all.

I have a friend who has more firearms than sense, it seems. Tonight he showed me an Ithaca Model 51 from the mid 1980's that he is keeping in his garage
(his wife is a rabid anti).

This was no ordinary semi auto shotty.
It is kept in a hard side case with padded interior. Upon opening it I found that I was looking at a Ducks Unlimited Commemorative that had never been fired.

All of the engraving was still sharp and clean and the chrome bolt was shiny.
Overall the bluing was 95% with some wear from handling. The stock was walnut with the most beautiful grain I have ever seen on a weapon. All checkering looks brand new and the wood finish is 99+%. The recoil pad remains plyable and is without any wear. The signed factory inspector's tag remains attached to the trigger guard and the original booket and warranty card are found in the case. The action is smooth as glass.

Could any of you learned folk give me some info on this item, includng market value? As always, thanks.

[Sam]

I wouldn't venture as to the value in dollars. In shootability, they are great. Ithaca dod a lousey job marketing SKB shotguns here.
My family has 3 and we love them all.

First was bought in 73, second in 79, third in 82. Haven't bought any more because these aren't worn out yet. SKB make some fine bird guns. Had mine out today matter of fact. Shoots wunnerful wunnerful.

Sam

[Jim Watson]

Blue Book value on a 95% DU Ithaca 51 is only $335. Seems low and somebody really interested might pay him more. But commemorative guns that show ANY use at all have little collector interest. And DUs seem not to be real highly valued even when pristine, the 100% book value is only $425. It is now just a 51 with nicer wood, real checkering, in its case. The DU badge is just gravy. Further problem on cash value is that 51s never were very popular against the established Remington 1100 or the cheaper Winchester 1400 and few shooters now even know what they are.

I shot a 51 trap model extensively back in the 1970s when they were new. It was a nicer looking, better made gun than my Remington, but I could not break as many targets with it, even after several weeks' practice, so I did not buy one.

I am pretty sure the 51 was American made. The Ithaca-SKB models 300 and 900 were entirely different guns, imported by them from Japan.

[Sam]

The 51 are indeed SKB items from the land of the rising Toyota. Even says so next to the Ithaca mark.
Still nice guns. We also have a 280, 500, and a 680 in the cabinet. Love em all.

Sam

[Jim Watson]

Well dang, I guess if I had bought that one I could have gone and looked at its roll marks. I would have, too, if I could have hit anything with it. Old world craftsmanship, no doubt.

[Sam]

They are worth looking for.
Highly under rated.
Not a whole lot of accessiries available but real nice guns.

Sam