Ian, If you like the gun and it fits you I would go up to $1200. Like said just swap out that recoil pad for a sunburst pad. The gun looks better than most NID's. and it's a 16 with 2 3/4 " chambers.

How do I get a sunburst recoil pad and how much does that cost? How difficult is it to fit WITHOUT damaging the finish on the stock or refinishing it?

I bought it for $1150. Why? A few considerations. Spend a little less, find one on gunbroker, deal with shipping, sales tax, and the FFL, it was easier just to buy this one. Plus, the one posted to this thread that brought $1800 tells me this isn’t a $600 shotgun, it’s not like the junk on Gunbroker currently.

Plus, at my point in life, and I’m as cheap as they come, sometimes you no longer give a rat’s ass about a few hundred dollars one way or another.

Plus he’s a long time friend who was offered $1200 for this several years ago.

And he’s a friend, I’ve known him over a quarter of a century.

Plus, he doesn’t have junk and this last statement might go a LONG way…I have this 20 gauge VH Parker I might want to sell now.

I've bought and sold quite a few NID's. In general, it is considered by a lot of people the strongest of all the classic doubles, is very durable. The fact that it was made in great numbers and they are readily available has kept the price down to an attractive level. Over the last 10-15 years, I have found (and sometimes sold) a number of 16 and 20 gauges similar to the $1800 gun pictured. Most were around the same 1800 to 2000 range. All were Field grade. When you get into NIDs of any higher grade, the price escalates. A high grade NID in good shape is a work of art, particularly their engraving when you get to 4 grade or above. One thing of note is that the later field grades often had exceptional wood for the simple reason they were essentially closing them out from the late 30's until 1948 or so and used whatever wood they had on hand.

I have always shot them well and liked their weight and balance.

Ian, here is your pad:https://connecticutshotgun.co/ithaca-sunburst-pad/

I obviously need the small one, dimensions are 4 7/8” x 1 7/16”.

How difficult are these to fit? Or, grind down, and with what?

Obviously, I have to grind off 1/8” lengthwise and 3/8” width wise, make it symmetrical, and fit right.

Or should I just consider a buttplate? Length of pull from trigger to end of stock (minus buttplate) is 12 3/4” from the single trigger which is in the rearmost position.

“Description

Authentic reproductions of the red rubber recoil pad that graced so many guns produced by the Ithaca Gun Co. Manufactured in the United States from original designs, these classic pads can be fitted to most stocks. Total pad depth is 1", including the 3/16" black 'hard rubber' base. Large: 5 5/16" long x 2" wide, screw holes are 3 1/8" apart. Small: 5" long x 1 13/16" wide, screw holes are 3 1/16" apart.”

I ordered this recoil pad. Any tips?

Find a professional gunsmith to install it.

Who some highly recommended in southeastern Pennsylvania and what should I expect to pay for this service?