Let's see some pic's of your SxS's & O/U's
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the spank
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The shorter set are 24" Sk/Sk...kind of wish they were 26" but oh well. They likely won't see alot of use as I prefer the 28" set but I'll definitely try them out. Might be nice for upland though.
1963beretta
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Extended breacher chokes….problem solved.
All kidding aside, that looks to be a beauty Spank!
the spank
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Extended breacher chokes….problem solved.
All kidding aside, that looks to be a beauty Spank!
Hahaha! Yes that's what it needs! And a picatinny rail for multiple attachments like flashlights, laser pointers and maybe even a bayonet?!
Thanks, we shall see what it looks like when it arrives but I suspect it's a pretty nice gun.
Falconflyer
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Pretty sweet looking gun for your first side by side Spank!
the spank
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Thanks FF...I'll let the cat out of the bag. It's an Ithica NID 4E 12ga. 2 barrel set. I suspect as the second set of barrels are SK/SK they were either ordered at a later date since skeet wasn't a thing in 1927 or they were a matched serial # set of second barrels of a longer length that were cut back? In all honesty I did not ask as I wasn't concerned about it. The price was right for what I was comfortable to spend, Chris Dawe knew the gun and gave it his endorsement and that was more than good enough for me. I didn't buy it looking for collector value but rather as something I can take out and hunt both waterfowl and upland with and play with occasionally on the clays games.
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If you want an American classic that you are planning to shoot, an NID is a great choice. Love the barrel options. Looking at the pic I figured 30" and 26" but 28" and 24" do the same thing. My Manufrance Ideal has 29" barrels and I found a set of 25" Ideal barrels and gambled on them (they were in the US) but they couldn't be fitted despite being the same grade and made one year before the gun. The joys of hand made!. My Browning Double Auto is a two barrel set and its a really advantage for guns that are never going to have changeable chokes.
the spank
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The gun was on the website for quite some time. I didn't know if it was the original price or the barrel options that were making it sit so long? Then I just happened to look the other day again and the price had been dropped significantly so I got hold of Chris right away and asked him a bunch of questions before calling the dealer. I think I am going to be pretty happy with my choice. Thanks for the kind words. I kind of thought you may think I'd gone off my rocker purchasing this combo...given what I have come across in pricing nowadays I could not have put that grade of stock on the gun for what I paid for the whole gun.
Nothing wrong with a 4E !
By one chart (Chuck Hawks) it ranks equal to a Parker GH and slightly above a Fox C grade. That's pretty good company.
And on the subject of multiple barrels, if it wasn't obvious, I'm a fan. A friend and hunting partner who passed away about 3 years ago was a fanatic about two things for hunting. His 16 gauge MF Ideals and multiple barrel sets. By the time Mike passed he had turned one of his 16's into a three barrel set and the other 16 had the second barrel and he had the third barrel in hand, just not yet fitted. Dropped dead of a heart attack working in his yard in Texas. You never know. He was strong as an ox and about 6'3". Cycled extensively and was in great shape. One of those "dead before he hit the ground" cases. We would talk endlessly about the ideal chokes for each barrel set, sipping on scotch after a long day afield in the Nebraska Sandhills. Both of us loved to hunt sharptails.
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the spank
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Nothing wrong with a 4E !
By one chart (Chuck Hawks) it ranks equal to a Parker GH and slightly above a Fox C grade. That's pretty good company.
And on the subject of multiple barrels, if it wasn't obvious, I'm a fan. A friend and hunting partner who passed away about 3 years ago was a fanatic about two things for hunting. His 16 gauge MF Ideals and multiple barrel sets. By the time Mike passed he had turned one of his 16's into a three barrel set and the other 16 had the second barrel and he had the third barrel in hand, just not yet fitted. Dropped dead of a heart attack working in his yard in Texas. You never know. He was strong as an ox and about 6'3". Cycled extensively and was in great shape. One of those "dead before he hit the ground" cases. We would talk endlessly about the ideal chokes for each barrel set, sipping on scotch after a long day afield in the Nebraska Sandhills. Both of us loved to hunt sharptails.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Sounds like you made some good memories hunting and sharing a mutual interest in firearms.
Yup, good hunting partners, those who naturally share your ethos, whatever it may be, are few and far between. Mike and I just clicked when we met. The funniest thing about him though, especially given his love of hunting wide open, nearly featureless plains was that he could get lost walking from his car in the Walmart parking lot to the Walmart store doors. It was so unbelievable, I ended up adding "Find Mike" to my list of responsibilities when hunting. Luckily, it takes a lot for me to lose my way.
the spank
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Hahaha! That is hilarious.
the spank
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So the gun arrived before I got home from work in B.C. I just unboxed it tonight. All serial numbers match on both barrel sets, reveiver, forend iron etc. The 28" set choke marks are 4 and 4 so full and full and the 24" set are marked 0 and 0 . I cannot find a reference for the 0 mark but based on 1 being IC and 4 being full I am assuming 0 is cylinder. I'll have to verify this week with a bore mic. But being a matched set of barrels I am pretty excited and I am going to send for the factory records and see who ordered the gun and in what configuration. The forends really surprised me with what I think is pointed ebony inserts? The both barrels wear double beads and I suspect by the yellowed colour from age they may be real ivory? As usual Chris' stock work is beyond compare. The fit, finish, checkering and recoil pad fit is simply superb and the gun comes up perfectly! It fits me beautifully and swings and points like a dream. I can't wait to run some bismuth through the old girl this fall.
I will post some better pics once I have a chance to give the gun a good cleaning. This is what met my eyes at first glance when I opened the case.
I will post some better pics once I have a chance to give the gun a good cleaning. This is what met my eyes at first glance when I opened the case.
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Falconflyer
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Very nice Spank, congratulations!
the spank
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There are definitely a few in here with a vast amount of knowledge on SXS shotguns so this is going to pic HEAVY as I would really appreciate some feedback from those of you in the know as this is my first SxS and a foray into the unknown. I don't want you to sugar coat anything because you don't want to hurt my feelings or such non-sense. I am a big boy and can take the info given me and learn from it.
I'd rather not post in an open forum what I paid for this gun so if you'd like to know PM me but suffice it to say I bought it for about the same and in many cases less than what a new synthetic and alloy autoloader sells for nowadays.
I sat down this morning with a handful of clean rags, oils, cleaning solvents, some 0000 steel wool and "attempted" to do a cleaning and lubing(a bit of grease on pivot points, lugs etc). Heck my terminology is probably way off when it comes to parts so please bear with me.
Overall I feel the gun isn't too bad of condition given the age and apparent use. The 28" barrels have definitely seen the most use as indicated by the amount of wear on them and I suspect given the lack of markings that are still present on the 24" barrels that they may have been reblued at some point?
A big surprise to me was how well the gun balances, points and swings regardless of which barrel set is in place. I had a preconceived notion the 24" barrels would be "whippy" but they are far from it and when thrown to the shoulder quickly they are right there so to speak. I can see where they would be a real joy to use in heavy cover for grouse, woodcock etc.
Another surprise too is the weight. I haven't weighed the gun yet but it does not feel heavy. I am guessing maybe somewhere around the 7lb mark and on the lighter side if over.
There is not much else I can say other than if this gun feels this good in hand and fits as it does I can only imagine how a fitted best gun must feel and I can definitely understand what it is you gents see in these firearms.
Now I want one in a 20 gauge!!
I'd rather not post in an open forum what I paid for this gun so if you'd like to know PM me but suffice it to say I bought it for about the same and in many cases less than what a new synthetic and alloy autoloader sells for nowadays.
I sat down this morning with a handful of clean rags, oils, cleaning solvents, some 0000 steel wool and "attempted" to do a cleaning and lubing(a bit of grease on pivot points, lugs etc). Heck my terminology is probably way off when it comes to parts so please bear with me.
Overall I feel the gun isn't too bad of condition given the age and apparent use. The 28" barrels have definitely seen the most use as indicated by the amount of wear on them and I suspect given the lack of markings that are still present on the 24" barrels that they may have been reblued at some point?
A big surprise to me was how well the gun balances, points and swings regardless of which barrel set is in place. I had a preconceived notion the 24" barrels would be "whippy" but they are far from it and when thrown to the shoulder quickly they are right there so to speak. I can see where they would be a real joy to use in heavy cover for grouse, woodcock etc.
Another surprise too is the weight. I haven't weighed the gun yet but it does not feel heavy. I am guessing maybe somewhere around the 7lb mark and on the lighter side if over.
There is not much else I can say other than if this gun feels this good in hand and fits as it does I can only imagine how a fitted best gun must feel and I can definitely understand what it is you gents see in these firearms.
Now I want one in a 20 gauge!!
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I've never been much of a fan of American doubles, and even less of a fan of American gun engraving... But, I think your 'new ' gun, Spank, is a wonderful example of terrific engraving. No mixed styles, no useless scratches and filler, just gorgeous, consistent Art Nouveau style, perfectly suited to the shape of the action. Fantastic decoration.
And while I own a few 'clanking machines' and a few overy-undery types, nothing comes close to the feel of a properly built and balanced side-by-side. Double triggers? Even better.
What a superb set, perfect for the field.
And while I own a few 'clanking machines' and a few overy-undery types, nothing comes close to the feel of a properly built and balanced side-by-side. Double triggers? Even better.
What a superb set, perfect for the field.
Well ain’t that a sweetie? As previously stated, high grade classic American doubles are very scarce in Canada, this gun is truly special. That’s a gorgeous piece of wood for the butt stock, as a blank the price of that would make your eyes water. Over the years I’ve had 2-3 of these high grade Ithacas, this one has the nicest wood. This was a custom order when new, the original owner could have had the two sets of barrels struck ( profiled) to match in balance if he wanted, even though the weight might differ. Oh, the prairie chickens will hate this one!
