The other Ithica thread got me thinking.

This was my Grandfather's. Idk how long he had it or the last time it fired a shell. The firing pins don't work, and it's a Damascus twist, so I wouldn't fire it if it did. It's just a cool keepsake now.



I emailed Ithica about it. This was their reply:

Your gun is a Crass Model manufactured in 1892. Here is a little history on the Crass Models:

The Crass Model was manufactured from 1888 to 1901. It is named after Ithaca�s Frederick Crass, who designed it. This was Ithaca�s first �Hammerless� model shotgun. The early Crass features a barrel with a rounded doll�s head extension very similar to that of the Baker model. The barrel lug had a spring-loaded hook incorporated within it, which lifted the cocking levers when the gun was opened, and the barrels pivoted forward. The cocking levers cammed the hammers back to the cocked position. The hammers, referred to as �strikers� in early catalogues, were powered by flat springs. The gun had an automatic safety. The barrels were bolted to the frame by an underbolt.
In 1897 Leroy Smith and Frederick Crass patented an automatic ejector system which was a $10.00 additional option on any Quality of gun.
The Crass model was priced from $50.00 to $300.00 during the years of production. Currently a Quality 1 Crass model in excellent condition is worth about $800 and a Quality 4 in excellent condition is worth about $2000.
The Crass Model underwent three major frame redesigns throughout its production life. It was available in 10, 12, and 16 gauges.

Thank You for contacting
Ithaca Gun Company
Patty Cooper
USA All the Way!!

That's Cool..

Very Cool

I'd be getn that one worked on and huntin with it. Sweet.

Nice old gun. Lots of history.

I have this 1900s Belgian sxs but still shoot it.

Here is a source for shells for old guns:
Polywad Vintager

It would take a lot of work. Wrist cracked and the receiver wobbles in the stock. If I had the $$$ and a real deal master gunsmith to fix it up maybe, but I'd still be scared those Damascus barrels could fail.

The old shells that RK linked may be an option though.

I wish these old guns could talk and tell the tales they have witnessed.

That thing would look great hanging above a stone fireplace.

Appreciate your sharing that. Neat how interested the company was in providing some history.

If it could be fixed Briley could sleeve those Damascus barrels and you wouldn't have to worry about them.

neat gun, thanks.

I saw an older black man in Eutaw that had an old Damascus bbled double. He was shooting 3" mag WW 00 buckshot in it. I tried to buy it, and told him it wasn't safe to shoot those shells thru a steel twist barelled gun. He didn't believe me. I can't believe that old gun didn't unwrap and blow his head off with those shells.

Thanks for sharing. Nice piece of history there.