In House Shipping:
Make: Ithaca Gun Co.
Model: Knick, Grade 4E
Serial Number: 400196
Year of Manufacture: 1925
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 American eagle over "MADE IN U.S.A." on the right. The water table is marked "400196 T", "4 / 12" and the interior of the bottom plate visible between the water table lugs is marked "019". The left side of the receiver is marked "ITHACA GUN Co.", the right is marked “ITHACA, N.Y.”. The interior of the forend bracket is marked "400196". The action lug is marked "400196", "4" and with a nitro proof. The bottom of the barrel is marked "Rovor / choke", "-54". The barrel has starburst motifs on the flat side faces of the chamber. The bottom tang is marked "400196 T".
Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 32", Vent-Rib
Choke: Fixed Improved Modified
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead in a base at the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered walnut with beavertail forend, wood-capped pistol grip, monte carlo comb and a ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr White Line recoil pad. The forend appears to be a refinished original piece, the buttstock has been replaced. The forend has thin cracks at the front and rear edges, the point of the ebony inlay, and the front edge of the latch assembly. There is a crack at the rear of the top tang and there is fill around the rear edge of the bottom tang. There is notable crazing in the buttstock's finish. The drop at the front of the comb is 1 1/2”, drop at the rear of the comb is 1 1/4", and drop at heel is 2 1/2”. The LOP measures 14 7/8” from the front of the trigger's installed, wide shoe to the back of the recoil pad, 13 5/8" to the back of the wood. The pad has light wear and is still fairly supple. The stocks rate in Good overall condition as refinished and/or replaced.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: The receiver's case color appears Original, the barrel has been refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion. There are light tool marks near the muzzle where the barrel has been re-choked. There are shallow bulges behind the choked portion. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 92% of its current metal finish. The barrel has a few scattered light nicks, light wear from the forend, and some faint surface oxidation in front of the forend. The receiver retains generally strong case color. There is handling wear in the tangs. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear, most have been filled with gold paint. Overall, this shotgun is in Good-Very Good condition as partially 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. This shotgun was made in 1925 and still looks quite nice. 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 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. The barrel may need a little work, but they quite literally don't make them like this anymore. Please see our photos and good luck!