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Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Posts: 56 Location: Michigan

I just bought a Western Arms Corp. side by side (16 ga. of course). The gun is stamped "Western Arms Corp. Ithaca, NY" on the left barrel and "Long Range Gun" on the right. Can anyone tell me about this gun. It seems to be built an a 16 ga. frame and balances well. The gun is light in weight and has nice case colors left. There is a pointer (roll engraved?) on each side. The barrels are 28" and have a 4 on the flats on the left and a 2 on the right, with D over crowns on each barrel and a + stamped on each barrel. Serial # is 39000 range.

What can you tell me about the gun. What might be the age of the gun, what might be the value (90% condition) and should the chambers be 2 3/4"

Thanks for anything you can share.

Member Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 885 Location: Wisconsin

I paid $300 for one in the same condition several years ago. Mine has 30" bbbls. choked full and full. I use it on ducks with bismuth and Kent Matrix and it works great. Well balanced, fits me well shoots to point of aim, what more can I say. I have Ithaca made SxSs NID. Lefever Nitro and the Western Arms, like them all but the Long Range gets the most use.

It is a hidden Ithaca

See here, second page

http://www.ithacagun.com/pdfs/serialnumbers.pdf

Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Posts: 56 Location: Michigan

I was hoping to find out that it might be an Ithaca made gun. Any idea what model? I only paid $200 for the gun, it had been in the shop for a LONG time and the guy was willing to move it! I shot it last night and was able to hit with it. Thanks for all your input. Should it have 2 3/4" in chambers or 2 9/16"???

*Last edited by skeettx on Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:29 am; edited 1 time in total*

Need serial number and is most likely short chambered
Measure it, easy to do

http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10018&highlight=majic+marker

Still would suggest light recoiling ammo to protect the wood

MIke

Snyders book lists 1936 for a Western Arms shotgun serial# 39000. Number 4 =Full and#3=Modified. Chamber is 2 3/4" like the Nitro Express also built by Ithaca. That said, having repaired the wood/frame connection on a similar vintage 20Ga. I would stay away from the super bump loads. All the recoil is absorbed by a small area of wood contact with the frame and a 3/8" pin which connects the upper and lower tangs. These guns are great bargins when in good condition and deserve to be treated kindly.

Member Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 1696 Location: Minnesota

long range gun is the model name. My 1939 is 2 3/4 and weighs 6 lbs 14 0z. Seems a lot lighter in the hands

Joined: 25 Mar 2009 Posts: 56 Location: Michigan

Thanks all! I wouldn't have guessed 1936. I only plan on shooting 1 oz. loads from the gun. Mostly bunnies, grouse and woodcock hunting. My 11 year old shot it with me today and has claimed it as his! He is still trying to figure out double triggers. I will still try to get my hands on it from time to time. Thanks again and here's to hoping we all look as good as this gun does after 75 years.

Woodcock1
Did you measure the chambers?
What did you find out?
Mike

The Western Arms long range gun and the Lefever Nitro Spl. are the same gun made buy Ithaca. The Western Arms model has a cast reciver and the Nitro has a forged reciver, other parts are the same. These are nice old guns with all coil springs and a thru bolt holding the stock on. You may also find these same guns bearing the monkey wards name and some other retailers. This was a close action design to the Ithaca NID. nice gun at a great price.

Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 696 Location: WA/AK

The terms I've always seen used were that the Lefever Nitro Special had a "forged steel" frame while the Western Arms Co. Long Range Double had a "Malleable iron" frme.

You are correct. Del