2169 WELLS FARGO MARKED ITHACA HAMMER GUN WITH FACTORY

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 09 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
LETTER. Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4". S# 219829. Barrels are 24" with cyl. & cyl. chokes. An Ithaca factory letter dated March 29, 1960 states: "according to our records, this is a 12 gauge Ithaca double with 24" barrels. The gun was built by us back in the year 1912, and on March 25 of that year was shipped to the Wells Fargo Express Company for their guarding activities". The 24" barrels with matted rib are unmarked, except for S# on lump. 10 Ga. size boxlock action has exposed hammers. Sides are rolled with Ithaca company dogs, name and address; left side has been engraved "W.F. & CO. EX". S# and gauge are stamped on watertable. Round knob pistol grip American walnut buttstock measures 14-1/8" over replacement Winchester buttplate. Matching splinter forend has "J" spring release. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .739. R .739. Restriction: L .000 (cyl). R .000 (cyl). Wall thickness: L .075. R .075. STOCK: DAH: 3". DAC: 1-13/16". CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-1/8". WEIGHT: 9 lb. 8 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Ithaca factory letter. CONDITION: barrels retaining most of their original blue turning to brown. Action retains some case color where protected. There are some heavy scratches on left side partially obscuring Wells Fargo mark. Stocks have old finish. Buttstock with long cracks back to front and a myriad of bumps, scratches and dings. Forend is also cracked (repaired) and has some wood missing toward tip. Bores are bright. Action is tight. Mechanically good. In the words of Sheldon Smith who wrote the factory letter in 1960: "if that gun could talk, it might be able to spin some real hairy yarns, and it certainly has some Americana and gun romance wrapped up in it." PROVENANCE: from the renowned collection of quality sporting arms from Lewis Drake together with inventory of Lewis Drake Associates. (24-6567/MGM). CURIO. $3,000-6,000.