Ithaca Flues Single Barrel Trap Gun No. 7E Grade SBT 12 GA Shotgun 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3802
LSB#: 211201KB04
Make: Ithaca Gun Co.
Model: Flues Model One-Barrel Trap Gun No. 7 Grade
Serial Number: 278493-T
Year of Manufacture: 1917 (https://ithacagun.com/serial-numbers/)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 1/2” Shells
Action Type: Single Shot, Top Break Shotgun with Ejector
Markings: The water table is marked “278493-T.” and “7 / 12”. The interior of the forend bracket is marked “278493”. The barrel flat is marked “278493”. The receiver has No. 7 Grade relief foliate and border engraving with hunting scenes on each side. The trigger plate is marked “MADE IN / U.S.A.” on banners over an engraving of an eagle clutching a bundle of arrows. The trigger guard has a stag’s head. Each of the animals is in molded gold. The guard is engraved “M. R. MEEK” on a banner. The engraving motif is continued on the exposed portions of the forend iron, the lever, trigger guard and the side flats of the barrel at the chamber. The left flat has “ITHACA GUN CO.” on banner, the right has “ITHACA, N.Y.” on banner. There’s even decorative engraving on the inside of the forend iron!
Barrel Length: 29 1/2”, Vent-Rib
Choke: Fixed Light Full (approximately 0.030″ constriction)
Sights / Optics: The white front bead has broken off. There is a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is serrated for glare reduction.
Weight: 8 lb., 5.9 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece carved and checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, straight grip, straight comb, triangular ebony inlay on the forend tip, inlaid gold-colored initial plates in the forend and belly (unmarked) and ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr recoil pad. The stocks have light handling wear with some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The forend has a series of light nicks along the top, to each side of the barrel, a more notable nick on the left near the rear and a crack in the bottom-rear edge. The buttstock has slight gaps to the receiver at the front edges of the wrist. The checkering ranges from well defined to smoothed, but visible. The drop at comb measures approximately 1 3/8” and drop at heel 1 1/2”. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 13 3/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad is still fairly supple with light wear around the edges at the heel and toe. The cast is about neutral. The stocks rate in Very Good-Fine overall condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color & Gold
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has generally strong finish with some scattered minor nicks, scratches and infrequent minor surface oxidation. The receiver’s case color has muted in most exposed areas with strong color on each side at the rear, around the trigger guard and under the lever. The guard has mostly worn to white with some discoloration from oxidation on the trigger guard. The animals retain nearly all of their gold with some light wear on the eagle. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The pin heads are tool marked and slightly peened. The markings are clear with good detail in the engravings. Overall, this shotgun rates in Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejector. The barrel locks up with no play to the receiver. 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 with a single cotton-mop snap cap.
Our Assessment: Ithaca Gun Co.’s Flues model shotguns were named after the designer, Emil Flues, who spent 15 years perfecting his “3 piece” lock. His work was well worth the time, providing an action which was simultaneously stronger, simpler, and had a faster lock-time than its predecessors. While their One-Barrel Trap Guns utilized the same three-piece lock and underbolt, there would be a progression of three different top bolting designs during the production of the Trap guns. The earliest guns had two slotted tenons for two separate wedges while the two later designs utilized a cross-bolt. This shotgun was made in 1917 and has the third-style of top bolt tenons. Despite its age, this gun still looks exquisite. As noted in the book “The Ithaca Gun Company” by Walter Snyder: “The factory estimated that about 4,700 Flues model one-barrel trap guns were built before they were discontinued in 1922”, with an average of just over 500 produced per year in its 9-year production run. Not content with just being beautiful and handcrafted, the Flues One-Barrel guns were fantastic trap guns. They were used by such luminaries as John Philip Sousa and Annie Oakley as well as winning championships in the hands of Charles Larson and Elmer Sterner. More importantly to the Ithaca Gun Co., the gun put the company’s name on the lips of trap shooters across America. This example appears to have been used by an M.R. Meek, though we were not able to find any information about this previous owner. That could prove to be a fun research project for the next owner! This No. 7-E Grade shotgun is an essential part of any Ithaca collection, but would make a great addition to any firearm collection due to its beautiful wood, gorgeous engraving, and hand crafted action. They, quite literally, don’t make them like this anymore. Please see our photos and good luck!