Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Ithaca Western Arms Double Questions

I have an inherited Ithaca Western Arms Branch "Long Range Gun" 12 gauge double. The serial number indicates that it was made in 1939. On this gun, it is necessary to thumb the lever over in order to close it. This may be a stupid question; but, is this the way the gun is designed? Or, does it indicate a problem? Other doubles I've handled can just be closed without moving the lever.

I think something is stuck there, but I haven't handled one of these for many years. The Ithaca Guru is over on www.doublegunshop.com/BBS, Walt Snyder. He (literally) wrote the book on Ithaca shotguns, and will usually answer questions about them. But there are also many guys over there who mess with Ithacas and may have experienced the problem you (might) have. If you don't get an answer here, try there.

Mechanical questions on older guns aren't stupid. Ever. Sometimes they involve safety!

Thanks for the suggestion!

I cannot speak to the Ithaca you have but it is a good idea to always push the lever over to close a shotgun. It saves wear on the mechanism.

I agree that it's better to do that. But, it didn't seem right that one HAD to work the lever to close the shotgun. The action seemed pretty gummed up with 70 years of old oil. It looked like when the gun was open, a metal piece should rise up to block the lever and hold it open. However, that piece wasn't moving freely. So, I removed the stock and soaked the action in carburetor cleaner. It now closes properly.

Many "mechanical" problems are solved with....solvent! I've even found mummified beetles inside of old shotguns and rifles. And handwritten notes. And enough weed seeds to seed Detroit (probably not an entirely bad idea, oxygenwise....).