Ithaca Flues Single Barrel Trap Gun No. 5E Grade SBT 12 GA Shotgun 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1185
LSB#: 211201KB03
Make: Ithaca Gun Co.
Model: Flues Model One-Barrel Trap Gun No. 5 Grade
Serial Number: 290385-T
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (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 “290385-T.” and “5 / 12”. The interior of the forend bracket is marked “290385”. The barrel flat is marked “290385”, the barrel lug is marked with a nitro powder proof. The receiver has No. 5 Grade foliate scroll and border engraving with fowl scenes on each side. Behind the scene on the left is marked “ITHACA GUN CO.”, behind the scene on the right is “ITHACA, N.Y.”. The trigger plate is marked “MADE IN / U.S.A.” over an engraving of an eagle clutching a bundle of arrows. The guard is engraved “290385T”. 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.
Barrel Length: 34”, Vent-Rib
Choke: Fixed Full
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a white front bead and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is serrated for glare reduction.
Weight: 8 lb., 6.8 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, straight grip, monte-carlo comb, triangular ebony inlay on the forend tip, inlaid gold-colored initial plate in the belly (unmarked) and ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr White Line recoil pad. The stocks have light handling wear with some thinning finish at the rear of the forend and in the wrist. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The right of the buttstock has a few more notable scratches, but they are not through the finish. There is a thin crack in the top-front of the forend at the screw on the front face of the forend, another at the rear edge of the top tang, and a third in the right-front edge of the wrist toward the bottom. There are no cracks. The checkering is generally well defined, there is some wear in the borders of the checkering at the top-left-rear of the forend and in the fleur de lis accent in the right of the wrist. The drop at the front of the comb measures approximately 1 1/2”, drop at the back of the comb 1 3/4″ and drop at heel 2 1/4”. The LOP measures 14 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 13 1/2″ to the back of the wood. The pad is still fairly supple with wear at the heel. The cast is about neutral. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling toward the muzzle-end.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has generally strong finish with some scattered minor nicks, scratches and some swirling consistent with slightly aggressive cleaning. The receiver’s case color is generally strong with some scattered muting. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The pin heads are tool marked, but not peened. The markings are clear with good detail in the engravings. Overall, this shotgun rates in about 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: A single A-Zoom snap-cap is included.
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 1918 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 shotgun is an essential part of any Ithaca collection, but would make a great 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!