GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
SCARCE ITHACA FLUES 7E WITH SINGLE TRIGGER (MADE FOR FRANCIS P. WHITEHAIR, PRESUMED TO BE LATER UNDER-SECRETARY OF NAVY UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMAN), AND EXTRA BARRELS WITH VENTILATED RIBS.ITHACA7E SINGLE TRIGGER38840912 GA.MODERN; IVORY(1924) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 26" and 32" Bbls with raised, ventilated ribs fitted with two "certifiable pre-ban ivory" beads, are gold inlaid "Francis P. Whitehair" and engraved "By Ithaca Gun Co. Ithaca, N.Y. 1924." on tops. Breech ends are also engraved with 1-3/4" triangles of olives and foliage. Engine turned bbl flats are engraved with SN and grade along with choke designations. Bottoms of bbls are stamped "BEST FLUID STEEL". 26" Bbls are fitted with splinter field forend. 32" Bbls are fitted with beavertail forend with J-spring engaging a rear loop and Deeley type latch engaging a secondary front loop. Typical Flues action featuring gold-plated Miller type single trigger with selector in top tang, is engraved with near full coverage intertwined olive branches and olives, with shaded background and geometric borders. Action is also two color gold inlaid with red gold duck and yellow gold cattail with another duck on left side, with red cock pheasant and gold hen pheasant on right. A red gold heraldic eagle with white gold head under "MADE IN USA" is on bottom of action. Trigger guard is gold inlaid with Masonic symbol of scimitar and crescent moon. Nicely crotch figured American walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-5/8" over brown "Old English" pad. Side panels and grip are checkered in fancy fleur-di-lis pattern with ribbons and flourishes, typical of "7E" Ithacas. A vacant gold shield is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector field forend for 26" bbls has inset ebony tip along with J-spring and secondary push button release. Ejector strikers are engine turned. Interior iron has some scroll engraving along with SN and grade. Specially made large beavertail forend has reinforcing screw at tip along with ebony triangle and aforementioned double loop attachment. 26" Bbls: Bore diameter: left -.730, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.018 (mod), right -.000 (cyl). Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.034. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-3/4". Weight: 7 lbs 6 oz. LOP: 13-5/8”. 32" Bbls: Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.734. Bore restrictions: left -.038 (full), right -.036 (full). Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.023. Drop at heel: 1-15/16", drop at comb: 1-3/4". Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 13-5/8”. PROVENANCE: Wikipedia information on Francis P. Whitehair. This gun was made 2 years before he joined the Deland, Florida law firm of Landis, Fish, and Hall. CONDITION: Excellent, as partly refinished, as found. Bbls retain essentially all of an old re-black with some subsequent light rust spots (should clean easily). 26" Bbls are especially grimy with breech ends rusted and is in need of cleaning, front bead missing. Action retains a considerable amount of orig case hardening color (percentage very difficult to determine because of extensive engraving and in need of cleaning). Top lever and trigger guard have been re-blued and retain nearly all of that blue, engraving slightly softened. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig finish. Rear portion of butt lightly refinished with addition of new pad. Checkering lightly worn, does not appear to have been re-cut. There is a fairly deep scratch on belly of beavertail forend, and a light check behind top tang on butt. Bores are excellent. There is a fairly sharp small dent on left bbl of 32" set, 15-1/2" from breech end. Action is tight, and ejectors are in time with both sets of bbls. A great American classic in need of some TLC. 49029-1 MGM37 (17,500-27,500)