Was there anything special about the Bicentennial other than engraved receiver, nice wood and rib, case and buckle?

Welcome to the forum Dek. Low production numbers also make the Bicentennial a valuable and desirable gun. According to Walt Snyder's book, "Ithaca Featherlight Repeaters ... The Best Gun Going", 1976 units were produced. It is also stated by Walt that "all external metal was highly polished and finished to a very deep blue/black color".

These are really nice guns. Wood was hand checkered in the pre-war style and had the pre-war style fore end. All metal finish was done to a high quality. The belt buckle with the blue velvet case was numbered to the gun, but later ones may have not been numbered. The full length hard case was nicely done as well. The receiver internals were also highly polished and jeweled.

These guns values have not really reflected their quality, in my opinion. A unfired example with ALL the correct accessories in the same type of condition can be found for under $1000. Just a gun itself that's been fired and still in excellent shape can be had for around $500. You won't find another pump gun of this quality at this price point.

The 1976 catalog also featured the gun on its cover.