Fox Collectors

Lucked out again!! I picked up this Ithaca Flues 16ga through an online auction. It was advertised as a Grade 1 1/2 but the engraving of the dog on each side with bordering instead of large floral pattern had me convinced it was a Grade 1. The water table is stamped 1 1/2, 16 on the left side and PATD on the right. The rear of the barrel lug is also stamped with a number 7 on top above an S & 1 1/2 on bottom leading me to believe it is in fact a 1 1/2 Grade. All serial #'s match throughout.
The gun was advertised sporting 30" Krupp Fluid Steel barrels with 2 3/4" chambers and IC/F chokes which I cannot confirm until mic'd as I cannot find any choke or chamber length stamps. I'll confirm before I shoot it. The barrels wear a pair of ivory beads. It was also advertised as "barrels slightly loose on face" but that does not seem to be the case. There is absolutely zero play or any movement of the barrels in the receiver and it locks up tight with the lever well right of centre. The auto safety still functions properly and the triggers are crisp and positive with zero creep. I'll put my trigger pull gauge on them when I get a chance. There is no pitting or rust anywhere to be seen, bores are shiny and bright. There is a bit of colour case remaining on the top lever and top tang. Screws are not chewed up. Engraving and stampings are crisp and sharp.
The wood furniture is beautifully figured without any visible cracks but there are some light scratches and a few handling marks. The stock has been shortened with a lop of 13.5" to the front trigger and I'm 99% certain refinished, maybe even restocked?
Not certain if the checkering pattern on the pistol grip stock is an original pattern but it is very nice and definitely looks like something Ithaca would have put on a graded gun. The forend appears to be original and untouched and in very good condition and snaps on/off easily and securely with zero play.
A black pachmyr old english style pad has been added. The gun is lightweight, beautifully balanced, comes to shoulder and points like a dream!
I had my wife throw it to her shoulder a few times and when she picked it up she excitedly exclaimed "oh this is so nice and light" and then added with a tone of suprise mixed with excitement, "this is the first gun I have ever put to my shoulder that the beads are a perfect figure 8"! She then added "looks like I'm buying 16ga ammo now too!".
I told her I'd be more than happy to provide her with ammo if she was to take part in some SxS hunts and shooting with us.
Overall I think I did a-ok for a winning bid of of $675 coming to a hair over $800 with buyers premium, shipping and tax included.
Quite certain we have just added a nice little Hun gun to the fall line-up!
Sorry for the poor lighting in the pics. Any recommendations for ammo for this old girl? I assume low pressure light loads of 7/8 to 1 oz would be more than adequate?

The bold floral engraving for the No. 1 1/2 was introduced mid-1915 --
From the best serial number chronology your new gun is of 1911 vintage.

Now that is a very nice Ithaca. You did well for $800. If you don't reload then RST is your best bet for proper ammo.

That is an unusual example with the Krupp barrels. By the catalogs the lowest grade with Krupp barrels was the No. 2 Krupp Pigeon. The first mention of Krupp barrels for a No. 1 1/2 is the July 1915 ad I posted above. Prior to that the No. 1 1/2 was the entry-level Damascus barrel gun. From the introduction of the Flues, there were four grades that I refer to as the entry-level guns -- the Field Grade with a half-pistol grip stock and Smokeless Powder Steel barrels --
The No. 1 Special with a capped pistol grip and Cockerill Steel barrels --
The No. 1 with a capped pistol grip and Twist barrels --
And The No. 1 1/2 with a capped pistol grip and Damascus barrels --
From 1915 to 1920 there were changes in these entry-level guns with every catalog and magazine ad until the 1919-20 catalog shows the No. 1 got the bold floral engraving and the No. 1 1/2 and 1 Special were gone and the Field Grade got a capped pistol grip.
There seems to be even more variations in the guns themselves.

Got it cleaned up and wiped down. Picked up a nice old leather bound case for it at auction too. Cleaned up the case and gave the leather a good rub with neatsfoot oil. Now to get a set of 16 ga snapcaps and an Ithaca trade label for the case.

These damned graded Ithacas keep finding their way to my P.O Box. I may have to talk to the post mistress about this issue. I've run out of room in my gun safe 6 guns ago at least! 1924 Grade 2 Flues, 12ga., 30" choked 2/M & 4/F with dual ivory beads.
It sure needs a good cleaning and the seller unbeknownst to me shipped it in a nice condition vintage leather leg-o-mutton case. A very nice appreciated surprise indeed!

Nice gun, just be cautious and shoot low pressure loads out of your gun

1steve7301 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 02, 2026 9:42 pm Nice gun, just be cautious and shoot low pressure loads out of your gun

I have two different 1oz loads I will be loading for my 12ga guns. One gives me a published 5400 psi and the other 6000 psi. I'll be running them exclusively through my Flues and NID guns. The 16ga I don't have a press to load with so a buddy of mine is bringing me a couple cases of RST his next visit north of the border.