Flues 6E SBT advice

[Tim Adams]

There is an Ithaca Flues 6E 12ga for sale on a local auction.
I am debating on buying it, but would like some opinions from those more knowledgeable than I.
Mechanically, the gun seem very sound. Lockup is tight, lever is right of center, bore is clean and shiny with no dents.
There is some discoloration around the rib, where it attaches to the barrel.
The forend has 2 small cracks at the receiver end.
The butt stock is well handled, the checkering could stand to be sharpened up a bit.
It has a really ratty adjustable butt plate on it.
I realize this is a pretty rare gun. Should it be restored, or left alone?
I will probably never shoot it, but I hate to see it in a state of disrepair.
Any ideas what a guy would spend repairing the issues mentioned above?
Thank you for any input.
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[Dave Noreen]

The Flues SBT was only made for eight years and in that time went through three versions. Parts are made from unobtanium. IMHO address the cracks in the forearm wood, have the checkering picked up if you like and replace the Morgan with a period correct pad.

FWIW the Ithaca pad wasn't introduced until 1932, well out of the Flues era.

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[Stan Hoover]

That is a fairly rare Flues trap gun, you see them occasionally but the Grade 6E's are not encountered very often.

What I can see from your pictures, the gun looks to be in decent condition. I would assume a straight stock and 34" barrel?

I would maybe freshen it up a bit if you feel it needs it, and yes, the pad has to go.

Replace it with a period correct pad, Silvers, Jostam, or similar. It would be fine with an Ithaca Sunburst pad as well, but as Dave mentioned, this gun was produced before the Sunburst pad was introduced

[Tim Adams]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your replies.
The auction closes tonight, I will let you know what happens.
Tim

[Drew Hause]

Helpful thread with drool worthy pics :)
https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/ithaca-flues-sbt-lineup.894455/

[John Davis]

That’s a nice gun. If you wind up with it, you might want to talk with Brain Dudley about the wood work and recoil pad replacement.

[Kevin McCormack]

Yes by all means go for it! Another rare gem more than worthy of rescue and correct restoration!

[Tim Adams]

I won the auction!
I will go pick it up today, and will post more pictures.

The trigger guard and the shield in the stock are engraved with the name F D Stoop. He was president of the Amateur Trapshooting Association in 1923.
It is cool to have a little bit of history on this.