The Ithaca ribs are about 0.45" at the rear and 0.30" at the front. The center of the rib is matted, and on either side of the mat is a border about 1/32" of polished blue, so the rib does not appear Broadway-like.

Most all of these guns, like all of the period guns with full chokes, have 40 +/- points of constriction. It's hard to get tighter than that. If I had to guess, I would say that less than 10% of the trap guns are under 37 points.

If you need a gun with a lot of choke, buy a gun with a lot of choke.

Don’t leave Baker out of the mix! They were incredible shotguns. The receiver, barrel and rib were all machined from the same block of steel! Here is my “second generation, improved version”, 32”, ejector, straight grip, 30lpi checkering, engraved by Rudolph Kornbrath. The gun is in 95% original condition, with the only issues being some “melting” of the stock varnish, and I had to replace the original “grieb” sponge pad. It was beyond help, and there is no repop available. So went with Silvers, which was available as an option on this gun. Choked “tighter than Dick’s hatband”.

It is a clay busting beauty!

Ha! I like it. Have not heard or used that expression in years.

Up there with "ease up before your gander strings pop"

Rib view

Gentlemen,
I recently looked at a pair of Parker SBT trap guns. Both had 32" bbls. and one for $3,995. had a pigeon on the bottom of the receiver, while the other for $4,100., did not. I did not check their serial #'s, but should have! Is that a normal selling rate for them now?
Thank you!
Wes

The Parker is my favorite SBT but the Ithaca comes in a close second in my opinion. I owned a Specialty grade Smith. It was a nice gun but the fit and finish did not equal the Parker or Ithaca. The gun didn't feel as good as the othert two and it didn't snap closed with a reassuring click like the others did. I rarely snap close a gun because I belive returning the top lever by hand causes less wear. The Smith didn't have a bolt through the foreend and it had developed cracks. My opinion is that they are less SBT guns than the Parker or Ithaca.

I've got a Parker SC, Ithaca 5E (Flues) and L. C. Smith Specialty. I really like all three. None of them are collectors. I acquired them all considering only how they fit me and if I could shoot them. And I shoot them. On any given day any one of them can beat the other. So I'd say you can't go wrong with any of them. My recommendation is to buy one of each.

I like your recommendation. All three are great guns. I like the feel of the Ithaca and Parker best. I owned L. C. Smith Specialty but sold it. Nice gun but I like the feel of the others better. And I like the looks of the Parker best of all. So for me Parker is the best choice but the others have the fans also. Especially the Ithaca which greatly outsold the Parker. The Ithaca single trap is truly a classic gun.

:nono::nono::nono:What's this???? Philly's Finest not worthy of at least an honorable mention?? I do believe someone is getting the cold shoulder here.

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