Ithaca SxS - good deal?

[45_Shooter]

I came across an old 12 ga side by side Ithaca 'Flues' model last weekend at a gun shop in my area. Finish looked OK, not pristene but decent enough. Had double triggers, barrels were standard, not damascus and said something to the effect of being rated for smokeless powder. Action seemed to lockup tight, extractors functioned. Forend was OK, but the stock was broken at the point where the action attaches, to the point of missing large chunks on either side. Shop wanted $200 for it, seemed like a good buy. What do you guys think? Are stocks around at all or would one have to be made, hence the price?

Thanks!

[Joat]

How good are your woodworking skills?

AFAIK nobody is making replacement stocks for the old Ithaca sxs. You will either need to get an uninletted stock and carve it to fit or graft wood back to the original stock. I am not familiar with that model and do not know if there are any "close fits" from another manufacturer.

If your skills are up to it (or your friend's, family's, contact's skills:D) it could be a nice project for that price. Otherwise it is an expensive mantle decoration.

Joat

[darkgael]

The stock is an issue. The price is about right. I have two of them; paid a bit more but still less than $300. They mount nicely and point well.
Pete

[45_Shooter]

Can these handle 2 3/4" shells or only the old 2 9/16 stuff? Didn't really say that I recall.

[darkgael]

The two that I have shoot the 2 3/4" shells.
Pete

[DMacLeod]

Ithaca flues are chambered for 2 1/2" shells not 2 3/4". They are also not designed for modern shot shell pressures.

[crowbeaner]

Check with Fajen and Numrich for a stock. I believe that Fajen bought out Bishop, and Midway bought out Fajen. They may have a blank or semi-inletted stock somewhere. The local Gander had a 20 gauge Ithaca sxs last year, and they wanted $1K for it. I guess it depends where you live.

[darkgael]

Dear Mr. MacLeod: While I agree about the Flues being designed for lower pressures than many modern shotshells produce, I beg to differ about the chambering. The two I have are chambered for 2 3/4" ammo; they have the same chamber as my modern SXSs marked for 2 3/4". In addition, any that I have been able to search up indicate 2 3/4" chambers. Maybe Ithaca made 2 1/2" chambers but not these guns.
Pete

PS - I did track down a reference to "most guns left the factory with 2 5/8" chambers" shortly after the post above. Evidently conversions to accomodate 2 3/4" shells were common. There are constant recommendations that pressures be kept at or below 7500 psi. I load mine to less than 6K. In one gun, I shoot only BP shotshells.
Pete

[J F Cooper]

Ithaca Flues, 12 bore guns made before August, 1924 had 2 5/8" chambers. Those made after August, 1924 had 2 3/4" chambers.. JFC