Ithica NID 10 gauge 3 1/2"
 

Did Ithaca put a marking of some kind on the 3 1/2" guns ?

Kinda like a LC Smith Long Range or Wildfowler would have 3" on the bottom side of the barrels . Did Ithaca put something similar on what were supposed to be their NID 10 gauge 3 1/2" Magnum guns ?

The Ithaca NID Magnum-Tens were built on a longer frame with an extension of the barrel lug through the bottom of the frame, and a larger diameter hinge-pin then the regular NID. All of the Magnum-Tens are in the 500000 to 501011 serial number range, and every one I've looked at is marked 3 1/2 inch chambers on the barrel flats.

FWIW -- The Chas. Askins/Elmer Keith original Magnum-Ten, serial number 500000 is coming up for auction in the March 2015 Julia's Auction. Of course it has the hideous Fred Shaw 1962 restock that Elmer had done and no longer looks like this --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...000closeup.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...00fullview.jpg

So if it isn't marked as such on the barrel flats it's 99% that it isn't a magnum ?

That Askins gun would be okay to have ! Keith never carried much weight with me . When I was growing up I was more of the O'Conner school .

To be honest the reason I asked , Vintage Firearms in MI has a Grade 2 they say is the Magnum and the seriel number is 500,6xx but the barrel flats have no markings leading one to believe its a 3 1/2" gun .

The serial number and the frame style and measurements would be the final answer. The lack of chamber length markings could be an error at the factory.

Craig, as Researcher said the exposed barrel lug on the bottom of the frame is a quick answer. All the magnum 3 1/2" and magnum framed 3" 12's had the lug through the action.

I'm at the Las Vegas show. If Jay has it here I'll give it a look tomorrow, but it sounds like it is a righteous Magnum-Ten.

Actually it was a 1937 SAAMI suggestion that manufacturers mark the chamber length on guns.

Well in his pictures the lug goes thru the bottom of the action .

mag 10
 

I looked at that gun on their website and its a Mag Ten. I just feel he is asking about twice what its worth. Don't get me wrong I love mine there is nothing better for long range waterfowling in my opinion . I believe they made more mag 10s then the NID super 10s. good luck