Ithaca hammer gun

[bob lyons]

Recently picked up this very nice 16 gauge Ithaca Damascus hammer gun
Weighing in at 7lbs 9 oz
28 in barrels
With no choke from what I can tell
I was hoping to find out some info on this gun.
Any info would be appreciated

[Researcher]

Nice!! Looks like an above average NIG (New Ithaca Gun) that falls in the September 1889 through 1891 period (10,535 to 17,234) for which there are no surviving records. The NIG was introduced in 1887, replacing the original Baker Model hammer gun, beginning with serial number 6550. The Crass Model hammerless gun was introduced in 1888 and were serial numbered right along with the hammer guns. The NIG had a long run, lasting through the Crass, Lewis, Minier and five years into the Flues era of hammerless guns. I haven't seen any grade descriptions from the early years of the NIG other than they were offered in Qualities A to F, but in later years the Quality A had Twist barrels and the similar gun with Damascus barrels was the Quality AA. On page 267 of the Second Edition of Walter Snyder's book, he shows an AA 16 serial number 34426 and calls it "an early Quality AA in 16-gauge." Walter also pictured the fifth NIG made a 10-gauge with Twist barrels.

[Drew Hause]

These are the NIG grades and prices c. 1901.
You are no doubt aware that the barrels are crolle damascus

[Researcher]

FWIW those are the "List Prices." The actual "Retail Not Less than" price was much less. From 1913 --

1913 Wholesale and Retail Prices.jpg

[bob lyons]

You guys are great!
Yes the condition was very good.
When I first got it home I thought the barrels had been blued, but after cleaning it up I think they are original based on the guns conditions. They are dark.
I did manage to take it out and shoot a round of skeet, the shotgun preformed well can’t say the same for the shooter.
I never heard the term Crolle Damascus but did look it up very interesting.
The choke as noted seems to be choke bored, which I assume means no choke.
I did not pattern it but seemed to smoke many targets so I will have to check it out.
Thanks again for the info !
Bob

[Drew Hause]

Bob: 'choke bored' was a very common term used at the turn-of-the-century for choke.
H&A modified and full