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.