I have seen where some Damascus barrels that were split ahead of the chambers were welded back together and usable. IIRC it was someone from the Fox group that had this done. Talk with Brad at the Southern you might be surprised at what can be done.

It would be a shame not to be able to use those beautiful American Flag Bunting (?) barrels.





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Gun is on the way to Brad today.
Hopefully he can find a way :corn:

I spoke with Brad last Friday. he was quite taken by this gun. I am not an Ithaca guy. I have owned a few but have not really studied them - as I described earlier this gun came to me quite by accident as part of another Parker purchase - Anyway Brad was excited. McGraw engraved with "Bunting" or "Etoli" barrels. The only set of such seen on a small bore to his recollection.
This was the good news........

The bad news is the barrels could be saved. The stress cracks around the split are too severe. Whomever attempted to lengthen these chambers just went too far. The metal is too thin at the point where they need to be strong.

So the best option under the circumstances is to have Brad install tubes and make it a 28 gauge gun. Given the weight of just under 5.5lbs (if I remember correctly) and the dainty feel of the gun I think it is a good candidate for the tubes. He can save the ejectors and refinish the barrels and hopefully bring this gun back towards its former glory.

I just would not have interest in the gun with steel barrels on it. I could match them up, but then I would just sell the gun. I almost feel obligated to save this gun in its original form (or as close as I can get). I expect I am passing the point of ever being able to get my money back out of it but I am well past the point of concern with that now.

So if all goes well I will post pics in about six-eight months of the finished product. I can always use another 28 gauge anyway. Thanks all for the input.

Glad you are going to bring it back to life. It is a beautiful little gun.

Disappointing, but I applaud your decision to find a way to use that treasure. Did Brad tell you the length of the chambers?

Ithaca called those barrels "American Flag"; used on No. 4. No. 2 & 3 were "Chain".

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../409894739.jpg

1917 E.C. Simmons, St. Louis

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../410661228.jpg

Another 4E Flues courtesy of Walt Snyder

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../342319658.jpg

Sometimes we just have to suck it up and do what we need to in order to save a piece of American history. Replacing the damaged barrels with steel ones would have been ok in my opinion if it was the only option but being able to use the original ones is a big, big plus. You can never have to many 28's and the grouse and woodcock won't know the difference anyway.

My hat's off to you for saving a truly wonderful treasure.:bowdown::bowdown:

Mark, I applaud your choice - I would have done exactly the same.

With the 28 gauge tubes you will still have a rare and wonderful 20 gauge Ithaca made 'shootable' again. Congratulations!





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I received the Ithaca 4E 20 gauge - now lined to 28 gauge back from Brad this week. Damascus "American Flag" barrels redone - pictures attached. I will get the gun out for some Sporting Clays this weekend. I am looking forward knocking down some quail with it sometime later this year or next.

I love that gun! I also have an Ithaca 4E that I think a lot of. You did good on this one!