Every now and then I run across a 22 Ithaca lever action, and am intrigued, but don't know anybody that has owned one. Any experiences ?

I've never owned one, but they are the same design as the Henry line of 22 Levers. Over at Rimfire Central, there are some guys that have had them since Ithaca first started making them, and others have the J.C. Higgins (I think that's the other company that made these levers), and they both are the same design as the new Henry's. From what those guys said they seem to hold up for a while. Hope this helps.
Aaron

Got it all straitened out now! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The makers were Erma, Ithica, and Iver Jonson. I was mistaken on the J.C. Higgens thing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> And to add a twist, Ithica was importing Erma rifles and sticking their name and logo on them. Sorry about the miss-information.
Aaron

I'm not sure but you may be referring to the model 49 Saddlegun. It was a nice little single shot .22. I have one in a deluxe model in .22 magnum. Has gold trigger and hammer, and better wood. Was a nice beginners rifle. Was safe as a single shot and had to pull the hammer back to shoot it. The gun came out in early 60's, and saw several changes over the years in the way of sights, stock, etc. Was small and short which made it great beginners gun for kids. One interesting thing about this little rifle-- I can't find a serial number on it anywhere................

Hunter01

Actually, the Erma rifle was sold as the Ithaca Model 72, which replaced the earlier, problematical Model 49R repeater.
The Model 49 single-shot was a variant of the Martini hinged block design, to resemble a lever-action. The 49 and 49R were completly different guns.
All pretty good shooters actually.
The current Henry president, Anthony Imperato is a stand-up guy. His father designed the rifle for Erma. Later, he bought the rights back for the family, and the Henry company was born.
Looking at the Model 72 Ithaca and the current Henry side by side, they are nearly identical. Slightly different in the front band and sight.

I have an Ithaca 22 mag. saddlegun. It was not the model 49, so I guess it is the 72. I like the gun and the feel, but the problem is the trigger. A lot of creep and a flat spot. It is almost like a second safety. I read this was a common problem. I have taken it to 2 gunsmiths, but they did not seem to want to fix it. Any suggestions?

22's and shot guns were not required to have serial numbers before I believe 1968...RFK was killed and the gun grabbers got going in high gear after that.

I have taken it to 2 gunsmiths, but they did not seem to want to fix it. Any suggestions?
Hello:
I would contact the OWNER of Henry firearms, In New York City with this problem. He designed the original Ithaca model 72 that was produced by Erma Werke in Germany. he later used the same design and makes the now popular Henry rifles. He may have part's or be able to FIX your problem. Regards, thegeneral.

I had a mdl 49 as a kid, first 22RF my Dad bought me.
Mom later decided it wasn't such a good idea, and when me & Dad weren't looking it disappeared. About 20 years later I'm checking out a gunshow, and a mdl 49 happens to follow me home, wife frowns, but kids love it. Still in the safe today, great $40 investment.

I had one about 20 years ago and it was a real good shooter up until I shot a box of shorts thru the long rifled barrel. One box of shorts ruined the accuracy on that rifle. I don't know what it did to it but it never shot worth a hoot after that and no amount of cleaning would fix it. I guess it ruined the chamber. DO NOT SHOOT SHORTS IN A LR BARREL.

At the last Houston gunshow, I was able to pick-up a Mdl 49 R.
I haven't seen but a few of these over the years, and they are usually a couple C notes away from following me home. This one came home for under a C note, couldn't pass on that.

...Sad to say,since I revere the Ithaca name,the Ithaca .22 lever guns i've seen aren't of quality meterial.That is to say they incorporate low quality alloys,not fitting in a firearm ,which ought to be of more durable and lasting material.

I have an ithaca 72 that does not feed well, I am thinking of selling if anyone has an interest. If so, pm me.

Looking for info about the carrier cartrige on the model 49r. the shell will not carrier to the chamber. think the spring is tweeked. anybody know how the spring sits in the carrier? think the spring runs under it. any info?

have owned this gun for about 15 years and it shoots great. no problem till now.

I like mine, the 22 mag is nice to have.

Found one for sale, think he is dreaming though.


General Gun & Supply
WINDSOR'S FINEST SHOOTING FACILITY & STORE




Ithaca Model 72 Saddlegun 22 LR

SKU: N0471

Price C$649.99

Model 72 Saddlegun 22 LR

Item Number………………. N0471

Caliber………………………… 22 LR

Barrel Length………………. 18.5”

Action…………………………. Lever Action

Finish…………………………… Blued, Wood

Stock…………………………… Fixed

Condition……………………. Used, Good

Legal Classification…….. Non-Restricted








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Interesting thread. I didn't know about the connection between the Ithaca/Erma rifles and the present Henry line.

There are also "Ithaca lever action" single shot shotguns using a break action with underlever. Can't remember the model number but they must have been fairly popular because I see them now and again. The lady proprietor of my favorite gunshop tells me that they don't stay on the rack long! She had a .410 of this type and a guy bought it before I had a chance to look it over. Looked like the receiver might be made of Zamac (sp?) a popular zinc/aluminum alloy used in inexpensive gun frames and major parts for a time in the mid-20th Century.

wow, a 13 year old thread resurrected. lol

I think those Ithaca underlever shotguns were called "Model 66".

I have an Ithaca Model 72 Saddlegun. It has rode many miles in a leather scabbard on horseback and in the truck. It is still my go to gun when riding. Killed lots of jackrabbits, coyotes, dogs and skunks. Very accurate, smooth and reliable. The 22lr doesn't make much noise so it doesn't spook horses or cows. The receiver appears to be made of an aluminum alloy of some sort. The action is very smooth. I would buy another if I ran across one at a fair price. I don't consider $650.00 a fair price.
WE have two Henry Golden boys in 22lr. The actions are very smooth just like the Ithaca and there does seem to be other similarities consistent with what others have said above. One of the Henry's is quite accurate. The other is more particular about which ammo it likes. Both have a little more drop in the rear stock than what I like so that takes some getting used to.
I probably have 10 or 12 lever action rifles in different brands and calibers. Being left handed and growing up before they made left handed bolt action rifles, lever actions were my preference. I still prefer the little Ithaca over everything else.

yep and they were popular in the early-mid 70's because they were real cheap. ugly as sin and kicked like a mule. my dads buddy had a 12g and i shot a slug out of it when i was about 12. damn near ripped my shoulder off.