I have come across a number of those late Nitro Specials made with surplus A grade sculpted frames.

Here is a sixteen gauge New Model Ithaca skeet gun made in 1935 (first year production), according to discussions I had with Walt Snyder, for comparison, that I owned until last spring. This must have been one of the very first ones as the chokes are not marked for skeet but by measurement they are skeet chokes and their contour and length appear original.



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Dean, that NID 16 you pictured now wears a new splinter forend, recut checkering and a sunburst recoil pad.

Attachment 32205

Attachment 32206

Attachment 32207

Nice job Brian. That new pad adds a very nice touch.

I hope the owner can still shoot it as well with that nice little forend.

Hey, it's what he wanted. And what is likely correct for the gun.

I own two mid-1930s Ithaca built Skeet Guns. A No. 4E 12-gauge with all the bells & whistles, which according to Walter was shipped 12/7/36 --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...rtailsside.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...geSkeetGun.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...nStockLeft.jpg

And, a 20-gauge Lefever Model 5 A-Grade optioned up with single non-selective trigger, beavertail forearm, twin ivory sights, and Ithaca bridge trestle recoil pad. It was one of nine similar guns shipped to Bauers Sport Shop 5/1/35.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../Skeet2001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../Skeet2002.jpg

The guns are both marked S and S on the barrel flats. The 12-gauge chokes measure .009" right and .016" left. The 20-gauge .008" right and .014" left. Both considerably more choke than my Ansley H. Fox Skeet Guns and my Remington pump and autoloader SKEET choke guns of that era.