April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
The Flues Model single barrel trap was introduced in 1914. It underwent three design changes to the locking system. This gun is of the very rare second variation, made only for a short time during 1916. It has a 32" barrel with matted ventilated rib. Engine turned barrel flats are stamped with serial number. Case hardened action with flues type under bolt and second pattern crossbolt triple fastening, is engraved in typical 6E style with well cut large shaded acanthus within geometric borders surrounding ovate vignette of gold inlaid Indian with drawn bow in open woodlands on left. Indian is flush inlaid in three color gold. His leggings are of light gold, and his breech clout is in silver or white gold. A gold inlaid trap shooter with white gold pants and Bowler hat are on left. A heraldic eagle surmounted by "MADE in U. S. A." is engraved on bottom of action. Matching acanthus engraving extends to sides of barrel with ribands engraved "Ithaca Gun Co." on left and "Ithaca N. Y." on right. Blued trigger guard has scroll on bow and tang. Nicely crotch figured American walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over silver type pad over 1/4" spacer, and features Fleur-de-Lis checkering with fancy rear border, checkered side panels with Fleur-de-Lis intrusions, and a vacant gold shield on toe line. Matching reverse tapered beavertail ejector forend has inset ebony tip and push button release. According to the owner, this gun is featured on both the cover and inside cover of Walter Synder's book: "The Ithaca Gun Company from the Beginning". CONDITION: Very fine. Barrel retains approximately 60% of what appears to be original blue, with numerous light marks, considerably thinned. Action retains 60-70 % original case hardening color, thinned and greyed around bottom, and silvered on high edges from normal hand wear. Trigger guard retains approximately 20% blue. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their original finish, with some crazing and numerous light marks. Pad is relatively new. Checkering is lightly worn and has not been re-cut. Bore is excellent. Action is tight. Ejector is strong. This very fine, rare Ithaca is pictured on page 118 of "The Ithaca Gun Company, From the Beginning" (copyright 1991) by Walt Snyder.
Internal Bore Diameter
.729