"Crossing the line"

[Brent Francis]

I was putting off doing Sat morning chores by taking some pictures. First picture is my hammer 16 B grade very similar to the GI gun. The other is of 3 with the 16 on top and two turn of century field grades on bottom. The top has a refinished stock. The bottom two are old closet queens with their original varnish. Note the red particularly on the hammer gun. I know this is heresy but I like the old Ithaca hammer guns better than the Parkers. to my eye they are sexier and if you shop around they are alot cheaper. The 3 guns here are while not perfect are pretty good and I never paid more than 400 for any of them.

[Angel Cruz Ortiz]

Seeing as to how many of you have an Ithica of two of three, I won't feel to bad about crossing the line.

[Brent Francis]

Has anyone seen an Ithaca hammer gun in a higher grade than B ( 2)? I have seen alot of the beautiful high grade Ithaca hammerless but only field and B grade with external hammers.

[Dennis]

Angel, in my experience as a gun dealer/buyer I have seen many examples of online sellers giving a 3 day inspection period where the buyer may keep the gun for 3 days to inspect but not shoot. It is very common and I suspect the reason is because the seller has no idea what ammunition might be used in his firearm. We in the gun collecting business all know of people who are very knowledgeable with all types of guns and loads. Others we are aware of know little to nothing about guns and are prone to hurt themselves or others. In the case of a vintage gun with damascus barrels I would have a problem if someone was to shoot a modern long range goose load with steel shot through the barrels. I guess the easiest thing to do is to ask the seller exactly why he doesn't want the gun shot. I like the Ithaca hammer 16 a lot. I tend to agree with some others that it looks to be somewhat restored. It is hard to imagine the case colors on the receiver being so worn yet the stock is so great looking. I hope it works out for you. Nice gun.

[Angel Cruz Ortiz]

I spoke with the owner and it is all original with super clean bores. Included with the gun is a copy of the 1999 DGJ article he wrote on the gun. He even game me the phone number for Mr Daniel Cote who published the article for DGJ and he can vouch for the originality of the gun.

[Brent Francis]

Angel, wont argue with Double gun journal. So did you buy it? It sure is pretty.

[Angel Cruz Ortiz]

I did. I made him an offer and he accepted. I just hope my Parker girls don't get mad.

[Brent Francis]

Congratulations, It will take them awhile but they will get over it.

[Angel Cruz Ortiz]

Thanks Brent!!

[Blind Dog]

Angel, I confess that I too crossed the line and got my first Ithica last week. Not in the same class as yours, a 50 year old '37. Probably paid too much, about twice what it cost new according to the '62 Gun Digest but less than half the price of a new Featherlite 12 from Upper Sandusky.