Shotshell pressures circa 1906

[Bruce Day]

That statement from Lou Smith was repeated as gospel by the uncritical outdoor writers. Its one that I am aware that researchers today have tried to find the test data without success. Smith's statement is inconsistent with modern tests and with his own company's statements to the public not many years before.

I don't know, and it would be interesting to know, when Mr Smith became an executive of Ithaca. It would be interesting to find that he was there when the company was representing to the public that its Damascus guns were "guaranteed not to shoot loose with any nitro powder" and that Ithaca barrels "insur(ed) absolute safety to the shooter".

Bob, can you post photos of the 1911? I'd love to see it. I have posted photos of a Win. Mod 1897 here before with Damascus barrel.