Hello,
I just picked up an old Ithaca Double barrel from a local gun shop. I think it’s a 1906 Ithaca Minier 12 gauge grade 2. Let me know if it is and what is the current value please.

You just bought it in an arms length transaction, so that is the value.

It appears to be in nice shape, and the Krupp barrels are certainly a plus.
But without establishing that the barrels have not been cut, if choke remains, if the barrels been honed, and the resulting wall thicknesses, it is not possible to estimate value.
What is the mark just forward of the left barrel flat?

Unfortunately today there is limited market interest in vintage doubles, unless high grade or very high condition.

.

Welcome to SGW, cmichales ! !

If you ever decide to shoot it, please don't use modern ammo - use low-pressure ammo from the likes of RST, Kent Cartidge, etc, etc.


.

The barrels are 28 inch with original ivory sights. The mark on left barrel is just a smudge in the finish.
Thanks for the response

It was checked by a gunsmith and said it’s a shooter. Bores are like new. One barrel is full and other is modified choke.

Crisco’s concern is likely related to chamber length.
My old 1913 Ithaca had 2 9/16” chambers. Modern cartridges are 2 3/4”.
A cartridge that is longer than the chamber will increase the pressure.

That's the main concern with early guns (made prior to 1930s) - they have to be checked for chamber length. And remember - they have very sharp forcing cones, which were required by the old this-walled paper shells and wads to prevent gas blow-by. This causes an increase in chamber pressure if you use modern 2 3/4 shells in them.

What about using the mini shells? 1 3/4 challenger for example.

Did the gunsmith who evaluated the gun not measure the chamber length??

There is an easy way to measure chamber length using a 3" x 5" index card, rolled lengthwise, and slid into the chamber. It will partially unroll and expand to the chamber diameter.
Gently advance the card until it stops at the end of the chamber (where the forcing cone constriction starts), use a pencil to mark the card at the breech end of the barrel, and repeat the steps to see if it always comes to same spot.
Then use a ruler to measure the length marked on the card.
The chamber must be clean, and it works best with a new 3” X 5” card.

The chambers are likely 2 5/8" and IF the wall thickness has been measured, breech to muzzle and are adequate, and there are no cracks in the head of the stock, standard 1 1/8 oz. at 1200 fps (3 Dr.Eq.) have less pressure and recoil than loads for which the gun was designed. 1 oz. would be even better Modern turkey loads are NOT what the gun was designed to handle.

Scroll down about 1/3 here for a summary of Sherman Bell's "Long Shells in Short Chambers" study
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZIo ... c-kGA/edit

Please let us know what the chambers measure.

+1

There are gunsmiths...... and then, there are gunsmiths (many are just parts-changers, or used to working on modern guns)..........

Gunsmiths not intimately familiar with double guns usually have no clue about measurements like bbl wall thickness, loose rib's, being off face, chamber length, etc, etc.

Most here are VERY familiar with double guns, having owned/shot/hunted and work on for a looooong time (50 years, for me).

.

It is the Krupp cartouche as normally found at the end of the line -- FLUID -- STEEL -- KRUPP -- ESSEN -- on the bottom of Krupp barrels.



Ithaca's No, 2 Krupp Pigeon Gun is probably one of the best of vintage Ithaca doubles for a shooter. I don't have a Minier era catalog, but here is the No. 2 Krupp Pigeon Gun in a Flues-era catalog --

More pics

I measured it 10 times. I measure 3 inches. So it’s chambers are 2 3/4?
Thanks

The chambers are 3", and may have been lengthened. Some Live Bird and Inanimate Target guns DID leave the factory with 3" chambers; not for more shot or powder but for additional wadding.
"Mirror bores" BTW in a 115 year old gun suggest honing at some point.

A doublegun smith needs to confirm the chamber length, and measure the end of chamber, forcing cone, and every inch of the barrel wall thickness.