Recent content by Ithacaman

You can't make a wrong choice here. I prefer 16s and 12s myself. If I was going out for grouse in the morning (and I truly wish I was) I'd take my Browning Superposed in 12 with 26 inch barrels. I shoot it fairly well. Second choice in the safe would be my Ugrtechea 12 SXS, the gun that...

Don't mess up a Winchester. Please! As someone who has brought numerous old Winchesters (and other vintage sporting arms) back to life, let me offer my two cents worth. I prefer not to strip or sand to the bare wood. To me that ruins a great piece of history. I sand only enough to smooth...

Ithaca Date of Manufacture You have to write a letter to the company to be certain; however, that is a very early date and most likely pre-WWII between 1937 and 1942.

Amen Brother! I read through all of these and began raising my hand for those that struck home. After awhile I just left my hand up. They're hilarious. The one I am most proud of is being approached by total strangers (especially young people) as being an expert with great knowledge to...

Try this product for beautiful gunstock finish I swear by Arrow Wood Finish. http://mpi.websitewizard.com/ModShow/ShowPage/122375 It's on my whole collection. It's not the fastest but it is long-lasting and durable. Ithacaman

Height of Sight on 514 I just pulled out my 514, which I've had for nearly 50 years. I measured it several ways and the best I can come up with is 3/8 of an inch from the bottom of the dovetail to the top of the bead. Hope that helps. Good luck on your project. My borhter and I each...

Way to go! Acquiring a pre-64 Winchester of any type truly is sweet. You simply can't beat the classics.

NOW I HAVE 2 39s. I love this thread! I have had a Mountie since I was 15, so that's more than 45 years. I picked up the longer version at a club swap meet back in May and now I have two extremely accurate guns. The "new" one was made in 1950 and and shows some wear but still performs. I...

Heard at gun shows..Honest! "My favorite home defense weapon is a .357 revolver," said a dealer in Ohio. "I have a loaded one in every room in the house, inlcuding the kids' rooms." "What happened to your rifle?"asked a gun show customer in Minnesota who was looking at my expensive European...

Never Assume They Are Clean In buying old guns (which is all I buy) I just assume they are dirty despite exterior appearances. I too have learned that one the hard way. Plus, the cleaning job familiarizes you with your new firearm...

Count Me Among 16 Gauge Fans I just bought my fourth one today, a Model 37 Ithaca made in 1966. I also have a Browning Sweet 16 may in 1955, a 1949 Mossberg Model 190 and a 1930s Lefever Nitro Special. Perhaps I'm partial to them because the Mossberg was Dad's. Not a gun collector, he had...

Sorry - Try this 9442XX It's six digits. Thanks so much.

Went to the local gun show today and parlayed a couple 22s and some miscellaneous into a 99% Ithaca Model 37 Featherlight in 16 gauge. I got it despite the pressed checkering but I just couldn't pass it up. Question: Was the press checkering on these guns done only in the early eighties...

Count Me In I've had my Mountie for 45 years and it's as accurate as ever. Me on the other hand is another story.

Today at the range I fired a 1950s vintage 22 bolt action BSA, which I recently acquired and really like. It didn't fire a couple times simply because, as best I could determine, the bolt and feeding area had not been totally cleaned by me and certainly not by the previous owners. After a quick...