Ithaca Serial #0008

[Ken Hobday]

Digging around in the corner of the gun room I stumbled across what I thought was a new baker , But turns out it’s actually hand stamped “Ithaca gun co” although very crudely done and in different positions on each side of the receiver
Doing what research I could seeing how Ithaca information leaves allot to be desired I would say this was a Baker - Ithaca when Ithaca Gun Company started does this make sense ?
Also are there any records around for the company that can be searched ?

So how much value would a low serial number add to a shotgun ?

This double is a ten gauge 32 inch barrels heavier then sin and has the most drop on the stock that I have ever seen. Locks up very tight and bores are very nice not quite mirror but close, shoots pretty good but you have to shoulder it low and keep head high off stock to even look down the barrels

If any interest I can post pictures

[Researcher]

Looks to me like you have serial number 8000 which would be a Baker Model Ithaca from 1889. Serial numbers 63, 172 and 483 have no leading zeros. Early Baker Models had quite conical breechballs. In the 6xxx range they evolved to much more spherical shape. As I understand it, Walter Snyder has sent most of his early Ithaca Gun Co. records to the McCracken Research Library at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, but he still has some NID era records.

Who knows how long it will be before Cody is offering Ithaca research letters.

Ansley H. Fox serial number 8, a brown 12-gauge 30-inch B-grade, is in the upcoming Julia's Auction, so we'll soon see what a low serial number adds.

[Ken Hobday]

here are a few pictures
8A1222C2-4016-487A-9827-C340B5793101.jpg

4DEDFE87-8967-4458-8B73-C1AF180D9B86.jpg

4C121395-2379-4637-A5E9-D6BE02E9B829.jpg

Actually says Ithaca NY

Serial number 008 or 800

[John Eurom]

Ithaca-Baker model, Ser #800. Grade may not be marked. A grade had Twist barrels. B model had Damascus.

John

[Ken Hobday]

Ok so it’s not number 8 , Darn and I thought I uncovered a Gem in the rough , thanks for the reply

[John Eurom]

Originally Posted by Ken Hobday

Ok so it’s not number 8 , Darn and I thought I uncovered a Gem in the rough , thanks for the reply

To the right person it may be a gem. Ithaca-Baker doubles are not easy to come by, especially if in shooting condition. Even so the only interest is to a devout Ithaca Gun Co. collector and then grade and condition mean more than rarity. The few of them that remain usually keeps them from being shot. Ithaca models generally show variation in design in the first 100 or so guns, so the different features are of interest to those following the evolution of Ithaca guns. Even then there doesn't seem to be a big following of interest.

I do collect Ithaca doubles and do have some interest. Mostly as a student of early American SxS design. You can PM me if want to discuss this more in-depth.

John