Ithaca Grade 3E 12 GA -NID, 6 3/4lb. UPLAND GUN, EJECTORS,

Ithaca Gun Company’s last model of double shotgun was the “NEW ITHACA DOUBLE”, or NID model.  Built from 1926 to 1949, only 45,000 were produced in all gauges and grades, with a majority being Field grade 12ga. guns.  Ithaca high grade guns are special amongst the American double guns, as they are superb mechanically, equal to other makers in quality, had wood far more figured, grade for grade, than their competitors, and checkering patterns that simply overshadowed the next best maker.  The NID action is brutish in strength, second only to Winchester’s Model 21, and graded guns are nicely engraved with game scenes and scroll.  This Ithaca Grade 3E, sn441472 built in 1927, is a superb example of a 95-year-old vintage American side x side that is ready for another century of use.  This gun is an unusual example, as most of the Ithaca NID guns built during this time period were heavy guns for competition or waterfowl…few were made as “brush guns” specifically light in weight, with 26” Krupp Steel barrels, and IC/M chokes.  It is very rare to find any American 12-gauge shotgun weighing in at under 7lbs., let alone the light weight of this gun at 6lbs. 13oz!  This is a quick gun, carefully crafted to balance 1/8” ahead of the hinge pin for dynamic handling characteristics that can only be attained by the hand-finishing methods of days gone by.  The gun is mechanically excellent, with well-timed ejectors, crisp triggers, excellent screws properly clocked along the axis of the gun, the barrels tight as new on the hinge pin and breech face with the top lever still right of center.  The well-figured wood is solid, with no cracks, sharp checkering, and a very nice hand-rubbed oil finish.  If you look closely at the checkering, you will note it is fine 24 line per inch and the ebony forend tip tops it all off in a very nice fashion.  The bores are excellent and mirror shiny, with no dents.  The barrels have been expertly rust-blued to new during our clean up of the gun making it ready for your use.  The best thing about Ithaca NID guns besides their strong mechanics is they are still affordable.  You can buy this game scene engraved gun with fancy wood and checkering for less than a plain-Jane Parker VHE and have a nicer gun for the money.  What a great American example of the gunmaker’s art for you to take to the field next season, and to break clays with between now and then.  Thanks for looking!