Ithaca Gun Co. Knick Grade 5-E 5E Single Trap 12Ga Engraved 32″ Ejector Shotgun & Case, MFD 1949 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,500.00
LSB#: 171108AL11
Make: Ithaca Gun Co.
Model: Knick, Grade 5
Serial Number: 403074
Year of Manufacture: 1948 (ithacagunrepair.com/)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 ¾” Shells
Action Type: Single Shot, Top Break Shotgun with Ejector
Markings: The receiver has fine floral motif engraving throughout with a gold woodcock on the right face and a gold pheasant on the left. The water table is marked “403074 PAT’D / 5 / 12” and the interior of the bottom plate visible between the water table lugs is also marked “403074”. The exterior of the bottom plate is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. / ITHACA GUN CO. / ITHACA, N.Y.” beneath an angraving of an eagle clutching a bundle of arrows. The interior of the forend bracket is marked “403074 / 5”. The bottom of the barrel between the forend lug and barrel flat is marked “BEST FLUID” and the barrel flat is marked “X714 47 / 2 3/4 CHAMBER” with two proof marks. The action lug is marked “403074 5”. The barrel has further floral engraving on the flat side faces of the chamber.
Barrel Length: 32”
Choke: Fixed Improved Modified
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a white front bead and a smaller white mid bead on top of the checkered vent-rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece extra burled gloss finished walnut set. The forend is a tapered beavertail design with an ebony insert at the front; the buttstock has a pistol grip with ebony cap and a gold inlaid plaque on the toe line with a curved, serrated, ventilated Pachmayr white-line recoil pad. The forend is checkered as is the pistol grip and flats imediately behind the receiver. The pistol grip checkering has smooth fleur de lis accents and fancy borders. The left edge of the pistol grip cap has a small white mark. There are no other noticeable marks on the buttstock or forend. There are no chips or cracks. The drop at comb is 1 3/8”, drop at heel is 1 5/8”. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad; the pad is set with a black spacer; the material is supple, the pad is in Excellent condition. The stocks rates in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some discoloration on the bottom left of the receiver and the rear of the top tang. The bottom tang has had some finish worn off. The right shoulder of the barrel at the breech has thinned somewhat. The unfinished vertical locking lugs on the face of the receiver have some surface oxidation. The action closes up tight. The screw head slots range from light to no screwdriver tooling. The markings are clear and the engraving is sharp. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action including ejector functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a hard sided case with black leather exterior and brass hardware, tan felt interior with separate compartments for the receiver and barrel as well as a third compartment for accessories. The exterior of the case has a few spots worn through the leather with a few scattered and light marks. The interior has two portions worn through the felt by the receiver which have been covered with duct tape to prevent the frame of the case wearing the receiver. Overall, the case is in Fine-plus condition.
Our Assessment: ‘Knick’ shotguns were named after the designer, Frank Knickerbocker, who all but stunned the trap world with the solid construction and smooth pointing model. This shotgun was made in 1949 and still looks exquisite. Some of the design team requested making permanent tools for large-scale manufacture of the Knick, but were overruled. Thus, as noted in the book “The Ithaca Gun Company” by Walter Snyder: “Assuming a gun was made for each serial number, 5,740 Knick model Single-Barrel Trap Guns were made to date, each one fitted, stocked, engraved, and finished by hand!”. Not content with just being beautiful and handcrafted, the Knicks were fantastic trap guns. In 1938, Joe Heistead broke 1,404 consecutive targets using a No. 5-E Knick just like this one. This shotgun is an essential part of any Ithaca collection, but would make a good addition to any firearm collection due to its beautiful wood and hand crafted action. They, quite literally, don’t make them like this anymore. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R shotgun can be transferred in California.
