Ithaca letter arrived

[WHO]

The Ithaca letter I recently requested arrived today. I ordered this letter due to the unusual engraving of the floor plate on this SBT. The beaver on the floor plate piqued my curiosity and since I was aware of a famous trap shooter with the last name of Beaver, I thought the gun was ordered by him. What the letter shows, however, is that my gun was one of a four-gun order placed by the Dominion Cartridge Company. After researching the company I discovered that their trademark is a beaver. Attached are photos of their trademark along with the engraving of the floor plate and the proof marks on the barrel flats. It is rewarding to find out some of the histories behind these beautiful guns we collect.

[Ken Hill]

I wonder why "Made in America" is engraved on the gun?

Ken

[Dean Romig]

As a matter of pride in the fact that they can compete in a world wide market.






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[mobirdhunter]

Very interesting. So, what else does the letter tell you? Just curious what their records might include.

[WHO]

Here is the letter. It appears that Stanley Cook was to receive the 4 gun shipment and was constantly traveling . Looks like he spent a lot of time on the SS Prince George.

[Bob Brown]

Very cool letter. It would be interesting to learn the rest of the story behind that Ithaca's trip to England and the Birmingham proof marks. Here is a link to posts on trapshooters.com of another John Boa Ithaca 6E SBT made in 1919. The 6E has an eagle instead of a beaver on the bottom, but it still has the made in U.S.A engraving. There are links from Dr. Drew to info on John Boa. One is a link to an image in Oct. 1916 to Boa with his Ithaca in Sporting Life, but the link isn't working. It is probably your gun.
https://www.trapshooters.com/threads...6e-sbt.832915/

[mobirdhunter]

Thanks for posting the letter, Wayne. Some interesting past history of that special gun. After its long history, it is back in the hands of someone who really appreciates it.

[Drew Hause]

VERY cool.
Scroll down to the bottom of the thread Bob linked and the links are good
https://www.trapshooters.com/threads...6e-sbt.832915/

Here is Boa in the October 7, 1916 Sporting Life



Bob Hamilton will get a kick out of this thread!

Possibly one of our Canadian brethren could explain the proof marks. Was the gun shipped to England first for proof at the Birmingham Proof House, then to Canada for sale?

[WHO]

Thank you all for the additional information. I believe the proof marks are from 1959 due to the crossed swords mark with K and B stamped on each side. It seems like all of the Ithaca SBT guns I have seen, Grade 5 and higher, have Made In America engraved on them. The later ones have Made In USA engraved. The engraving is always in the same general location.

[Drew Hause]

Correct Wayne and thanks for the clarification
http://www.hallowellco.com/birmingha..._date_code.htm

Is British proof required in Canada for resale? Or was the gun sold in England in 59'?