I spoke with Brad last Friday. he was quite taken by this gun. I am not an Ithaca guy. I have owned a few but have not really studied them - as I described earlier this gun came to me quite by accident as part of another Parker purchase - Anyway Brad was excited. McGraw engraved with "Bunting" or "Etoli" barrels. The only set of such seen on a small bore to his recollection.
This was the good news........
The bad news is the barrels could be saved. The stress cracks around the split are too severe. Whomever attempted to lengthen these chambers just went too far. The metal is too thin at the point where they need to be strong.
So the best option under the circumstances is to have Brad install tubes and make it a 28 gauge gun. Given the weight of just under 5.5lbs (if I remember correctly) and the dainty feel of the gun I think it is a good candidate for the tubes. He can save the ejectors and refinish the barrels and hopefully bring this gun back towards its former glory.
I just would not have interest in the gun with steel barrels on it. I could match them up, but then I would just sell the gun. I almost feel obligated to save this gun in its original form (or as close as I can get). I expect I am passing the point of ever being able to get my money back out of it but I am well past the point of concern with that now.
So if all goes well I will post pics in about six-eight months of the finished product. I can always use another 28 gauge anyway. Thanks all for the input.
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“I never wrote a poem in my life. But if I ever do, it will be about ducks.”
– Gordon MacQuarrie, The Last Stories of the Old Duck Hunters, 1985
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04-10-2017, 08:25 AM
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