GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
SUPER RARE, EXCEPTIONAL HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION 10 GAUGE MAGNUM ITHACA "3E" NID "ALL OPTION" SHOTGUN. ITHACA SXS 3E 500168 10 MAG MODERN; C&R; IVORY Cal. 10 ga. mag. 3-1/2" Chambers. Any Ithaca 3-1/2" mag shotgun in good condition is a treasure. This particular "3 Grade" All Option gun is most likely one of a kind. It has 32" bbls with matted, ventilated rib. Bbl flats are stamped with SN, grade, and "3-1/2 CHAMBERS". Case hardened NID action specially made for this cartridge, has cut through bottom to allow for protrusion of lump for added strength. It is fitted with single non-selective trigger. Action is engraved in typical "Grade 3" style, with 50% coverage large shaded scroll with stippled background. This scroll offsets scenes of birds on sides; standing snipe under "ITHACA GUN CO" on left, and a walking quail under "ITHACA, N.Y." on right. A duck flies across marsh on bottom of action. Blued trigger guard with scroll on bow has SN on tang. Lightly figured American walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-7/8" over open sided Hawkins pad, which appears to be original. Fancy pattern checkering is at grip. Matching large beavertail ejector forend has inset ebony tip and J-spring and Deeley type release. Bore diameter: left -.777, right - .790. Bore restrictions: left - .042 (full), right - .044 (full). Wall thickness: left - .060, right - .060. Drop at heel: 2-11/16", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 11 lbs. 3 oz. LOP: 13-7/8". Twin ivory bead sights. PROVENANCE: Remarkable William Larkin Moore Private Estate Collection of Fine Sporting Arms. CONDITION: Excellent, original, as found. Bbls retain 90 - 95% orig blue with a number of light marks and dings, thinning a bit at breech ends where not protected by forend. Action retains approx 90% orig case hardening color, vivid where protected, silvering on sharp edges and fences, thinning a bit on bottom. Blue of trigger guard and forend latch remains excellent, with bow silvered a bit on sharp edges. Stocks retain over 90% orig varnish with numerous scratches and marks, a few fairly heavy. Varnish extends to mounting plate of pad where it is considerably alligatored and lifted. Checkering remains fairly light in color. There are two cracks at rear portion bottom of beavertail forend, one running from rear of latch escutcheon to iron, the other through reinforcing screw from iron into checkering. Bores are excellent, with a hint of frosting. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works. Walt Snyder in THE ITHACA GUN COMPANY FROM THE BEGINNING estimates 24 ten bore 3-1/2" guns were made in number 3 grade. How many with "all options"? 50594-26 MGM137 (4,000-7,000)