Ithaca Crass Grade 3
 

I saw Jay's post about his wonderful new-to-him Ithaca and the informative responses he got, so I thought I'd post a few photos of my what-I-think-to-be Crass Model Grade 3. I bought it because of the engraving (hey, it's got a bobwhite on the floor plate!) and the barrel pattern. It needs a more period appropriate pad, but otherwise is in quite nice condition.

For you Ithaca experts out there, is there anything you can tell me about this gun? It's in the 29XXX serial range.

The best available serial number chronology puts it as an 1897 vintage gun which qualifies as an Antique. Once the Ithaca hammerless gun grade structure settled in the No. 3 regularly came with the Chain Damascus barrels.

The surviving Ithaca records are at the McCracken Research Library at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. You can get a letter on the gun from them --

https://centerofthewest.org/explore/...ecords/Ithaca/

Garry, that's not a Bobwhite, that's a Bobolink. Sayin' for a friend. :corn:

Another 29,000 Grade III, don’t get too excited about getting a $75 letter. Yes, chain Damascus also.

Whadaya know?!?! I’ve been shooting and eating bobolinks for years and didn’t know it!:shock:

For comparison, no “Bob” on this one.

Gary and Bruce, Those guns are very nice. They make me excited to get mine fixed up soon. Interesting all of these beauties were in the same serial# range.

Thanks for sharing!
Jay

This is the Crass listing in the 1897 Chas. Godfrey, New York catalog
$51 would be more than $1900 today

https://photos.smugmug.com/US-Makers...rey%20NY-L.jpg

Bruce is correct re: chain damascus

This is an 1898 ad. "For Nitro Powders"! What could they have been thinking!?! :shock:

https://photos.smugmug.com/US-Makers...s%201898-L.jpg

1899 and now with a "Reinforced Frame" bolsters

https://photos.smugmug.com/US-Makers...e%201899-L.jpg

IMHO Ithaca had some of the prettiest engraving and nicest wood of all the American SxS’s. These guns are all proof of that!