Ithaca Flues
 

I’m looking at a 16 gauge Ithaca Flues made in 1916 and refinished at some point in its life. Barrels are steel and 28” long. Chokes are IM and Mod. BTFE, PG stock. I’ve included the pics I have of the gun. I would like to get a ballpark value based on the info I have. Thank you!

If I'm not mistaken thats a Grade 1 1/2 I think . If I'm incorrect I'm sure Stan knows for certain .

Value?

Mike,
I'll take the first WAG:)

These are things that may not enter your decision, but I thought I would point them out.

Action is blued, would have been case hardened,
It has an after market vent rib, I believe a Simmons,
Buttstock is not original in my opinion
BTFE is definitely a replacement

Value, it may be a $600-800 gun but I would call that generous.
Stan

My 28" original 12ga damascus 1-1/2 Flues has a bit more engraving than this one - Is there such a thing as a #1 Flues?? - I think there is.... The wood on this one certainly does not look original, but sure is nice! My Flues fits me perfectly and is a nice light little gun.

The guy who runs the marina where I kept my boat called me and offered it to me this morning for a grand. I know very little about them but knew enough to check here first. Glad I checked here first.

My uncle got my Flues for $35(!) at his favorite bar and gave it to me when I was 16. They look much nicer with a case hardened receiver for sure.

I'm fairly certain that is a Grade 1, I would have to take look in the catalogs or Walt's book to confirm.

It would be definitely stamped on the water table if one wanted to know for sure!

Any time I see a blued frame, it sets off alarms that the barrels may have been hot blued.

In the early days there was a herd of entry-level Ithaca doubles, all with the company logo and dog roll-stamped on the sides of the frame and a capped pistol grip -- No. 1 had Twist barrels, the No. 1 Special had Cockerill Steel barrels and the No. 1 1/2 had Damascus barrels. Then they added an even lower priced Field Grade with smokeless powder steel barrels and a half-pistol grip stock. During 1915 as Ithaca went from their early style fine engraving to the bold (cheaper to produced) McGraw style engraving the No. 1 1/2 got the bold floral engraving and the option of Krupp Steel barrels.

Attachment 111203

Over the next five years, as the war in Europe cut off the supply of composite iron and steel tubes, every Ithaca Gun Co. catalog shows differences in these entry-level doubles. Once the No. 1 got steel barrels the No. 1 Special was redundant and was dropped. June 5, 1918, catalog --

Attachment 111206

Attachment 111204

Then by 1919 the No. 1 and No. 1 1/2 were combined as the new No. 1 --

Attachment 111205

with the bold floral engraving.

You almost had me there, Mike. Happy Halloween to you, too.

I would pay as little as possible given all that has been done to it.

There is a 1916 Flues for sale on gunbroker right now. It is titled as a number 1 but the water table is stamped as a 1-1/2. The serial number indicates a 1916. Everything appears original, but the wood and metal finish is worn. Some case remaining. The wood looks to be of a quality that is on the gun you show. It has the bold engraving, but is of a higher quality than you show. It is stalled at less than $500 without a lot of bids.

On the flip side, the price you quote is far less than it would cost to have the work done. If you are interested in a shooter and not a collector, and like the gun, it would serve well.

The gun was just offered out of the blue. I didn’t know if $1000 was a good price, a high price or under valued. That was why I asked. I knew you guys would educate me. It does look really nice in the photos but I’m typically only buying the beloved Parker Brothers. I would be happy to negotiate a deal for any member interested.