I have a model 49 that is totally beat. It was my first rifle.
That was my first rifle too! It was a gift from my older brother on my 10th birthday and I killed my first squirrel with it the same year. I still remember the 35 yard, running neck shot. Although, let's not discuss the 15 or so squirrels I missed before I finally hit one!
The Model 49 was very accurate with Remington .22 hollow points. After outgrowing it, I foolishly sold it to my uncle a couple of years later to buy another gun. My brother died in '89, which made me regret letting the gun go. But, I got the Ithaca back when my kids were born. It had been neglected during its years away from me. But, it still shoots great and, this time, it will stay...
Also, interestingly enough , in this month's Ohio DNR magazine, "Wild Ohio", there's a first squirrel hunt story and an Ithaca 49 is pictured, although missing the barrel band.
