Make: Ithaca Arms Co.

Model: Box Lock Hammerless Field Grade

Serial Number: 453629

Year of Manufacture: 1928 (Ithaca Gun Company, From the Beginning by Walter Claude Snyder)

Gauge: 12 gauge 2 3/4″ Shells

Action Type: Break-Open Boxlock Side by Side Shotgun with Extractors

Markings: The left side of the barrels is marked "SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPT. The barrel flats are marked "453629" "4" and a "D" over a two lobed crown. The forend is marked "453629 / F". The water table is marked "453629" and "F / 12". The top of the barrels is marked "SMOKELESS POWDER STEEL" and "MADE IN U.S.A." The left side of the receiver is marked "Ithaca Gun Company". The buttplate is marked "ITHACA GUN COMPANY".

Barrel Length: 20” Shortened.

Choke: Left: Cylinder Right: Cylinder. Both Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the front of the rib. The rib is serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered walnut with a straight comb, semi-pistol grip, checkered splinter forend, and serrated hard rubber buttplate. There are compression marks and scratches throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is distinct, but no longer sharp. The LOP measures 14.125" and 13.125" from the front triggers to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is a bit of stubborn lead fouling in the choke area. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 50% of its original finish. The barrels have thinned bluing, particularly at the muzzle. There is scuffing, scratching and worn bluing throughout. The case color on the receiver has mostly faded. The screw heads are moderately tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions properly including ejectors. The barrels lock up to the frame with no play. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. We have not fired this shotgun. The cocking indicators work as designed. As with all used firearms, cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Ithaca NID, or New Ithaca Double, represents Ithaca Arms Company’s modernized entry into the American boxlock side by side market during the early twentieth century. Introduced in 1925, the NID was designed to replace Ithaca’s earlier Flues model with a stronger, more durable action capable of handling smokeless powder loads with greater longevity. This 1928 Field Grade example reflects Ithaca’s emphasis on utility and strength, offering a no-nonsense American double intended for serious sporting use rather than ornamentation.

This gun was apparently issue for the Sacramento Police Department. Consistent with police duty, the barrels have been shortened and the chokes are now cylinder. This appears to be a near 100-year-old piece of California history.