Below are photos of the other New Ithaca Field 20 gauge I have, along with a 12 gauge NID "regular" field grade for comparison. Both have had their metal restored, as the 20 gauge was a rusty mess and the 12 had a hot blued frame. The difference in wood quality between the New Ithaca Field and the standard NID is striking, as is the stippled frame top. I have never consistently observed wood like that on any other makers' field grades; not even on the VH. It appears that during some brief time frame from 1935 to about 1940, Ithaca decided to go all in on their field grades. I have not seen enough New Ithaca Fields sell to get a good feeling for market demand, but I do recall a New Ithaca Field in 20 gauge on GunBroker that was maybe 70% selling for around $1,600. That one sale would suggest that there is pointed collector demand for the New Ithaca Fields, but just how much is unclear.
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