Mystery Ithaca

[Researcher]

Originally the entry-level Ithaca Gun Co. Flues Model doubles used essentially the same receiver with the roll-stamped dog and company address on the sides for the Field Grade, No. 1, No. 1 Special and the No. 1 1/2. The Field Grade had SMOKELESS POWDER STEEL barrels and a half-pistol grip. The No. 1 had Twist Steel barrels and a capped pistol grip. The No. 1 Special had Cockerill Steel barrels and a capped pistol grip. The No. 1 1/2 had Damascus barrels and a capped pistol grip. At least by 1912 they added a bit of zig-zag border engraving to the No. 1 1/2 frame. In mid-1915 Ithaca introduced the bold floral engraving to the frame of the No. 1 ½ and added the option of Krupp Fluid Steel barrels. From then through the end of 1919 there were changes to these entry-level Ithaca doubles in virtually every Ithaca catalog as they phased out composite iron and steel barrels (Twist & Damascus). Briefly the No. 1 got the zig-zag border engraving with steel barrels and the No. 1 Special disappeared. It culminated in late 1919 with the combination of the No. 1 and No. 1 1/2 as the new No. 1.

Also in this December 1919 catalog the Field Grade got a capped pistol grip. For a number of years we find guns with either the Field Grade configuration or the No. 1 Special configuration with the S stamp on the watertable. Eventually the Field Grades were stamped with an F.