[OldTimer]

Greetings all,

I'm a newb to the site and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction here...
When my dad passed several years ago I inherited several firearms. Most are modern enough that shooting (and aquiring ammo) for them is not a problem. However, one shotgun has given me more questions than answers.
It is a circa 1909 Ithaca Flues (field grade) 20 bore/ga. side-by-side. I know this because I contacted Ithaca and the museum curator wrote me back. Questions not answered: 1. are the chambers 2-1/2 inch or 2-3/4 inch?, 2. where can "antique" ammo/loads be found? (if a competent gunsmith ok's this gun as a shooter) and 3. where can I find said competent gunsmith with a working knowledge of such an old piece? (Connecticut).

I would love to try this on the trap range or even moreso on upland birds but suspect I have a wall hanger. What say you -- heirloom or shooter?
Thanks for your consideration and opinions.

I support PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals
George...

 

[Oxford]

Old Timer...

First of all...Welcome to G&G. You're in an excellent place to start your search. I did a search for Ithica shotguns side by side and came up with the following information.

Go to Gunbroker.comItem27372470 Then do a search for Ithica shotguns side by side. You'll learn a lot about your gun. That link shows Ithica 12 ga and 16 ga...but no 20 gages. One is a circa 1903. Both use 2 3/4" rounds.

Approximate current values are included in that link.

Good luck.
Ox :right:

 

[OldTimer]

Oxford,
Thanx for the welcome, and thank you still again for the link. Value is relative, I'm related to this piece materially and figuratively--even if it is "only" a wall hanger!

 

[Oxford]

That makes sense to me. Even the wallhangers are fun to learn about and hold. Hope you got the information you wanted. There's several other gun auction web sites if you'll just do the search. You should bring up some that will be useful for your interests. :right:

 

[jerry]

welcome old timer :right:

 

[dave375hh]

Oldtimer,
I have an Ithaca Gr III that is marked nitro steel. In other words not damascus or "twist" barrels. It has 2 3/4" chambers. you can measure this for yourself with a 6" machinists ruler. Most any place that sells pens & pensils has them. Just put the square end in untill it hits the end of the chamber and read it at the rear of the barrels. Actually any ridgid small dia. object could be used and marked then measure it with what you have availible. The "Flues" models started at 216,000 mine is 213,XXX. I shoot target loads thru mine with no problems, but having it checked by a compitent gunsmith is a good idea. I doubt you'll need to find antique loads for it.

You have one of the best places to get a shotgun checked right in Conn. It's Conn Valley gunworks, AKA Galazan's they reproduce the Fox, Ithaca, and Win Mod.21's. Their in New Briten, Conn.

 

[OldTimer]

Gentlemen,
Thank you all for your replies. Dave 375hh, I will check with Mr. Galazan at Conn. Valley Gunworks in New Britain, thank you very much for that lead.

Have a safe and Happy New Year,

 

[Oxford]

Old Timer...so now that you've found g&g, why not continue to participate in the threads? There's always something of interest on various threads for someone, so hope you'll consider joining in on the discussions whenever you get the urge. :nod:

Ox

 

[OldTimer]

Ox,

Where did you get the idea that I was just going to hit the site for info then run? I will be around...

 

[Oxford]

Old Timer...that's a good question. From past experience I've observed that many first timers ask a question and we never hear from them again after they get an answer. Since I wrote that comment I've noticed that you're posting a lot on various threads and that's what we need. I'm definitely glad you've posting and I look forward to chatting more with you. :nod:
Ox

 

[OldTimer]

No worries, Ox! I hate that hit'n'run, too.
There is a lot of good info to be had here, some very knowledgeable people sharing what they've gleaned over the years. Someday, maybe, I'll be one of them.

 

[Oxford]

I know what you mean Old Timer. Since I've been posting here I've learned more about guns than I ever dreamed. And yes, there's a bunch of really sharp minds here when it gets to the mechanics of guns. :nod: