3423

Spectacular and Rare Factory Engraved Gold Inlaid Ithaca Flues Model Sousa Grade Single Barrel Trap

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Spectacular and Rare Factory Engraved Gold Inlaid Ithaca Flues Model Sousa Grade Single Barrel Trap
Manufactured from 1914 to 1922, the Flues Model was based on the Emil Flues three piece lock design used on the double guns and became known as the Flues Model Single Barrel Trap. In 1922 the Flues was replaced by the design of Frank Knickerbocker which was referred to as the "Knick" Model. The Sousa Grade (the highest Flues Model), was introduced in 1918. This particular shotgun was manufactured in 1919 and features and matte vent rib with double ivory bead sights' 3" chamber, choke gauges at full with an ejector. The breech end of the barrel, action, trigger guard, break lever and forearm hardware are very nicely engraved with fine floral scroll designs. Both sides of the receiver have an oval panel with a gold inlaid relief hunting dog in a field scene, gold inlaid relief duck in a marsh scene with gold inlaid highlights on the bottom and a gold inlaid relief mermaid with gold inlaid highlights on the trigger guard. Each side of the barrel flat is engraved "ITHACA GUN CO." in a banner. The shotgun is mounted with a tapered checkered walnut forearm and round knob pistol grip stock with a gold oval inset in the bottom of the grip, cheek piece, vented White Line recoil pad and gold initial shield. The gun is accompanied by very detailed letters from Incavo Appraisals LLC regarding this gun, history, owners, etc. There is also a letter dated 3/29/09 from Walter Snyder, the Historian of the Ithaca Gun Company. The letter states that this gun is listed in the original Ithaca factory order book as a Sousa Grade 12 gauge with 32 inch barrel. The order was placed on June 3, 1919 and the completed gun was shipped to Phillip DuPont on September 11, 1919. Mr. Dupont was very specific in the exact configuration of the gun and there was a note at the bottom of the page that read "If made exactly as ordered by Mr. Dupont will accept, otherwise do not start to build but advise CTS" (CTS was C.T. Summerson, an Ithaca salesman/broker and trap shooter). For unknown reasons the gun was returned to the company and was reshipped to C.T. Summerson at the Pinehurst Hotel in Pinehurst, North Carolina on January 13, 1920. This was the location of the Pinehurst Shooting Club. As well as holding competitions the club also sold Ithaca trap guns. The gun was again sold to F.W. Siebert of New York and was shipped on January 27, 1920. Mr. Synder also further states that he can account for 19 Sousa Grade Flues Model single barrel trap guns. There may be a few more, but the records are not 100%. The letters also state that Siebert was an accomplished trap shooter and that there were dozens of stories published in the New York Times listing him as a winner or runner-up in numerous shoots during the 1920s. Copies of some of those stories also accompany the gun.
BBL: 32 inch vent rib
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 12
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 306065-T
Condition: Very fine as factory quality refurbished. The barrel retains 98% plus blue finish with some minor muzzle and high edge wear, and thinning on the left side breech end. The trigger guard retains at least 95% blue finish with some thinning on the tang. The receiver retains 50% original case colors with the balance having a smooth stain gray patina. With the exception of a couple of minor cracks and a small shallow chip on the forearm, the wood is very fine as refurbished with a few scattered minor dings and scratches. The engraving is crisp. All of the gold inlay is excellent. An exceptionally rare, extremely well documented Flues Model Sousa Grade single barrel Trap gun.