Ithaca Knick 4-E Grade 4E 12 GA 32″ SBT Single Barrel Trap Shotgun 1947 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,355.00
WOA#: WY240529EW002
Make: Ithaca Gun Co.
Model: Knick, Grade 4E
Serial Number: 402868
Year of Manufacture: 1947
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Single Shot, Top Break Shotgun with Ejector
Markings: The receiver has Grade 4E engraving with a Trap shooter scene on the left and an archer on the right. The water table is marked “402868”, “PAT’D”, “4 / 12” and the interior of the bottom plate visible between the water table lugs is marked “402868”. Each side of the receiver is marked “ITHACA GUN Co.”. The interior of the forend bracket is marked “402868 / 4”. The action lug is marked “402868 4”, the barrel flats are marked with inspection marks and “X589 6”, the bottom of the barrel is marked “BEST FLUID STEEL”. The barrel has starburst motifs on the flat side faces of the chamber. The bottom tang is marked “402868”.
Barrel Length: 32″, Vent-Rib
Choke: Fixed Full
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead at the front and a smaller white mid bead on top of the checkered vent-rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered walnut with fleur de lis accents, beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, inlaid metal initial plate in the belly and a ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr White Line recoil pad. There is a triangular ebony inlay at the front of the forearm. The stocks have some nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a couple of tiny losses at edges. THe checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. The drop at comb is 1 1/2”, drop at heel is 1 1/2”. The LOP measures 14 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 13 3/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad has some wear and discoloration, it has hardened slightly with age. The stocks rate in Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is a little light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 or 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is handling wear in the exposed portion of the forend iron. THere is infrequent minor surface oxidation, most notable on the guard. There are a few minor marks. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action including ejector functions correctly. The barrel locks up to the receiver with no play. 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: None.
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. 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. This shotgun was made in 1947 and still looks quite nice. Despite being refinished, the markings are in astounding condition and the gun still locks up tight. This Grade 4E example 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
