Ithaca shotgun

[dave cash]

I inherited an Ithaca double barrel 12 gauge. There is no model number or manufacture date. The serial number is 354856. The underside of the barrels, under the grip, is stamped with the number 13. The water table is stamped with a 4 over a 1 and a 2. The gun is heavily engraved, and the stock and grip are checkered. How can I find the age, whether it will handle modern ammo, and an approximate value?

 

[Jim Watson]

According to the chart at
http://www.ithacagun.com/pdfs/serialnumbers.pdf
your Ithaca was made in 1921, one of the guns designed by a Mr Flues.

From what I have read on the www (Google is a big help if you don't mind pushing a few buttons.) the Flues shotguns are best limited to light loads and not the light shot hot powder cheapmart promotional stuff, either.

I don't know when the changeover from 2 1/2" to 2 3/4" shells and chambers took place. Best to play it safe unless you can get a lot of measurements made.
Polywad Vintager shells are nice mild 2 1/2" shells. So are some of the Kent/Gamebore series.
http://www.polywad.com/vintager.html
http://www.firearmservice.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page19.html
They would be suitable for your gun IF IN GOOD CONDITION.
That is up to you and your gunsmith to decide.

I won't guess a dollar value. You could look on Gunbroker.com and Auctionarms.com to see what is being bid on this and competitive American doubles.

 

[dave cash]

Thank you for the info. It was very helpful.