Ithaca 20 ga Flues vs Fox Sterlingworth 20 ga

[StubTwist]

You have some real interesting history of this Flues Allen. I believe at one time, your uncle my have blued the frame. When I handled the gun when I saw you last to get the decoys, the bluing is pretty much all there with very minor wear if I recall correctly. The only blued frames I ever seen on a Ithaca is a Model 37, never on a SxS Crass, Minier, Flues, or NID. Never say never is commonly said with these old doubles and your gun may be different but these were all case colored.

I'm sure there will be other responses to help solve your mystery.

[BRDHNTR]

Hi Frank, It's a mystery to me as well. I just received an email reply from Les Hovercamp, former Master Gunsmith for Ithaca who after retiring from Ithaca set up his own shop (Diamond Gunsmithing). Les says that anything is possible but he's never seen one blued out of the factory. My uncle was (I'm being polite here) very frugal so I doubt he would have paid any $$ to have it blued. Maybe he bought it from someone else who did though. That part of the history was long before I came along. In as much as my Dad was a ex-machinist at the Charlestown Navy Yard during WWII and tinkerer, if he blued it, he would have said something to me as it was my gun. And I know my brother would not have touched it (I would have shot him if he did!) Anyhow, as you saw, it's in very good condition and I'll probably put it up on this forum for sale as I think I'll get that Fox SW 20 ga. The Fox 20 SW will make a nice starter gun for my grandson when he's old enough to go for a 'walk' in the woods with Papa. Have you guys used any of those decoys of mine you picked up?