Ithaca Barrel Flat Stamps Question?
 

The older Ithacas such as my 1927 4ENID had the choke markings stamped on the barrel flats as seen in these photos. The "0"'s on each bbl as seen on the 24"bbl set are cylinder bore and the "4"'s on each bbl of the 30" set indicated full chokes and the factory letter indicated so as well. The 1957 Knick I recently purchased has a "3" stamped on the bbl flat and my 1926 Knick 5E has nothing of a choke type number stamp on it. Would the "3" seen in the pic on the '57 Knick be a choke mark or does it denote something else? Top pic is the Knick and bottom the NID

That mark on the barrel flat of your SBT is the mark of Joe Scaglione, the worker who proofed your gun. See pages 78 & 79 of Walter Snyder's book The Ithaca Gun Company, From the Beginning. The 3 may be a choke marking for improved modified, but there is no choke marking on the three other Knick barrel flats I have saved pictures of. This gun was proofed by Charles Fox --

Attachment 138243

On this gun Charles August put his mark on the lug next to the grade number --

Attachment 138244

This gun was proofed by William Bean --

Attachment 138245

I don't remember seeing a numbered choke marking on any Knick single I have ever owned, but I will give them a look sometime soon.

Thank you so much! I need to get a copy of Walt's book.