28 gauge field grade . Dates to 1912 .
I hope to bring it home on Monday .

Cool! Looking forward to pictures!

Yes please.....looking forward to seeing it as well

+1. Looking forward to the pictures and maybe a back story too.

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You'll love it - I know I love my 1914 version Model 1-S (Special field grade)

I'm sure they made them, but Ithaca Gun Co. never catalogued the Flues Model Field Grade in 28-gauge. The catalogues only list the 28-gauge in the No. 1 and above. My 1915 No. 1 Special with 30-inch barrels which they also never catalogued.

From the 1912-13 Ithaca Gun Co. catalogue --

Interesting that the two lower grade guns are listed as being safe for Nitro/Smokeless powder, but the more expensive gun with Stub Twist barrels is not. These old catalog pages are fascinating to read. Thanks, Researcher for posting them.

Lovely Examples Researcher!!

The gun was in an online auction(the only kind these days) . I went and viewed several guns by appointment . They brought everything outside.

There were three Ithaca doubles,this one , a 20 ga. NID that looked very good but was very loose and a 12ga. Flues No.1 from 1920 .

This was the best one, the action is tight ,barrels are good inside and out and the wood and chequering is nice .
I called it a field grade because that is what it looked like, it has a NO.1 on the frame .
I've been waiting for some sunshine too take pictures.

The book says it's a 2/1/2 in. chamber so I haven't shot it . I will be looking for shells this weekend . Has anyone any experience with cutting down 2 3/4 shells and loading low pressure loads ?

Glenn

In those times our North American ammunition manufacturers offered their 28-gauge shells in two lengths. The "standard" load was put up in a 2 1/2 inch case with 1 3/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 14 grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible or Ballistite pushing 5/8 ounce of shot.



They also offered a slightly faster load put up in a 2 7/8 inch case, 2 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 16 grains of dense smokeless powder such as Infallible or Ballistite pushing 5/8 ounce of shot.



Bulk powder loads --



Infallible or Ballistite loads --



My 1915 vintage 30-inch No. 1 Special has 2 7/8 inch chambers. Whether it started life that way or someone lengthened them when the 3/4 ounce progressive burning powder, high velocity load came out in 1932, I don't know.



Just before WW-II our manufacturers began offering 28-gauge Skeet Loads in a 2 3/4 inch case. In 1948-49 our manufacturers settled int just 2 3/4 inch 28-gauge shells.

FWIW, since I only shoot my 28 when hunting (and even then, not too often ), I just cut to the chase and bought some low-pressure 2-1/2" shells from RST.

At my age, I really appreciate the light weight.

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