Any idea what year my Ithaca Hammerless is?

[David Romaniuk]

Hi. My first post. I recently bought a new Ithaca hammerless, serial number 85531. Below the serial number is an S, a little lower on either side of the S is a 1 and 2. What does this mean? On top of the barrel it says Nitro powder steel. Thanks

[Dave Noreen]

According to the best available serial number chronology, the one in the Second Edition of Walter Snyder's book, your gun is a Lewis Model from 1903. The rib legend NITRO POWDER STEEL indicates it is a No. 1 Special. I don't believe that butt plate is original, but it certainly appears to have been there a long time.

[Wayne Owens]

I believe your gun is a later style Crass model 12 gauge made in 1903.

[David Romaniuk]

Wow it sure is old. What shells would you recommend to fire this Ithaca?

[Drew Hause]

This is the No. 1 Special listing in the 1901 Ithaca catalog

https://photos.smugmug.com/US-Makers/Ithaca/i-RfF9rsJ/0/DS8cB25DFprR86R7tZZhVwNpZxzKPxnXcn5mswBST/M/A0357-05-150dpi%20-%20No.%201%20Special-M.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/US-Makers/Ithaca/i-RfF9rsJ/A)

The retail price was substantially lower than $37.75

1904 Supplee Hdw. Co. for $25 - about $900 today

https://photos.smugmug.com/US-Makers/Ithaca/i-DxFgLGZ/0/PCwrjcfF4GqqvTX8bDNNLKc25XdSbN7gbC2VxnDH/M/1904%20Supplee%20Hardware%20Co.%20Lewis%20No.%201% 2C%201P%2C%201%201%20half-M.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/US-Makers/Ithaca/i-DxFgLGZ/A)

re: appropriate shells please see
https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/is-my-gun-safe-what-load-was-my-gun-designed-to-shoot.366087/

[Stan Hoover]

Nice older Ithaca Lewis model,

The Crass model ended in the 61,000-62,000 serial # range.

The S signifies the No 1 Special and the 12 signifies 12 gauge. I must say the Nitro Powder Steel in the rib legend is not common. That is a new one to me. The buttplate is not an original Ithaca butt plate, it reminds me of a butt plate you might see on a European shot gun or rifle.

I’m pretty certain you should be using 2 1/2” shells in your gun, RST Shot Shells produces excellent light recoil 2 1/2” ammo for older guns just like yours.

Stan

[Dave Noreen]

Here are some of the listings of shotgun shells available in 1903 from the 1903 Union Metallic Cartridge Co. catalogue --

126438

126439

126440

Those "Heavy Loads" near the bottom of righthand page are said to have been a bit hotter than SAAMI specs that came into use in the mid-1920s.

[Mike Poindexter]

Concur with Stan, it is a Lewis model. The Crass model had the sear pin visible in the lower corner of the action, for a total of 5 pins or screws visible on the side of the action. The Lewis model shortened the action and covered the sear pin with the buttstock, showing only 4 pins. I have both models, and shoot low pressure (1 oz @ 1200 or less) 2 3/4 inch shells in both. To my knowledge, and somewhere in Walt's first book, the standard Ithaca 12ga chamber was 2 3/4 from the outset, unlike Parker, Smith, and others which were 2 1/2 to 2 5/8. Your gun appears in good shape, and if the bores are not pitted too badly, should be safe and fun to shoot. Providing all the other factors of a vintage gun are there, i.e. on face, proper lock up, solid wood, sound barrels etc.

[David Romaniuk]

My son shot 6 shells with it and it works great. The safety is a bit finicky. Thanks for your help!

[Drew Hause]

Mike: from the beginning the Alexander Brown designed Smith hammer (1883) and hammerless (1886) 12g were bored with 2 3/4" chambers, unless otherwise indicated

A pre-1913 No. 2E

https://photos.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Design-Engineering/i-JsDF9Hf/0/CWmg9FHXLMrhpzpxN6CpdxSKVf8WF57gsSJj2WXgK/M/16ga%202E%201907%203inch-M.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/LC-Smith/Design-Engineering/i-JsDF9Hf/A)

[Drew Hause]

What Dave said
Turn-of-the century 16g 1 oz. 2 1/2 Dr. BULK Smokeless (1165 fps) loads were about 7500 psi; 2 3/4 Dram (1220 fps) about 8500 psi.
DENSE Smokeless loads were 1000 - 1500 psi higher.

Published Ballistic Tables by DuPont c. 1920s listed higher 16g 1 oz. load pressures with DuPont Bulk
2 1/2 Dr. Eq. 9000 psi; 2 3/4 Dr. Eq. 11,000 psi

[David Romaniuk]

Any idea what this Ithaca is worth today? I've always wanted a double barrel and now that I have one I'm planning on keeping it but would be nice to know what it's worth.

[Mike Poindexter]

Worth as a shooter, maybe 6-800. Somebody looking to fill a niche, maybe a little more. JMHO.