There are continuing financial adventures under the name of Ithaca Gun, but the actual manufacturing has been out of the county since 1986.

The company was reorganized by local investors and the plant re-opened in 1979, but bankruptcy loomed again in 1986, with a court ordering a forced sale and 100 workers were furloughed. While manufacturing continued and Ithaca Guns garnered broad respect in the industry, General Recreation fell into bankruptcy in 1978 and the plant closed, putting more than 100 workers out of a job. A holding company bought the plant and its designs, becoming part of a diversified entity called General Recreation, Incorporated. It is now home to the United Way of Tompkins County.īy the late 1960s, with younger members of the Smith and Livermore families uninterested in managing Ithaca Gun, the company was put up for sale. Paul died in 1952 at 78, and, in his will, gave the family’s large house on Aurora Street to the community. “Uncle George” stayed with Ithaca Gun as Chairman of the Board until his death in 1950 at age 104. George’s son, Paul, also joined the company after graduating from Cornell Law School. George Livermore (“Uncle George”) was offered 50 percent of the company by Leroy, and he and the Smiths alternated in the executive positions.

Expert appraisals are recommended on higher-grade, small-gauge models, as they are seldom encountered.Leroy’s son Louis (“Lou”) came into the company as a teenager, and Lou’s son Charles, an aviator and pilot with American Airlines, came into the company after retiring as a flier. Serial number range for Flues approximately 175000 to 399000. 20-gauge gun may command up to 50 percent price premium 28-gauge Field Grade, perhaps as much as 200 percent. NOTE: Add $200 for factory-ordered single trigger $200 for automatic ejectors on grades lower than Grade 4. Single-selective trigger made by Infallible Trigger Company, offered after 1914 and was first single trigger offered from this company. Any grade could have been ordered, with automatic ejectors at an extra cost. Flues Model had same bolting system as used on Minier Model. Several grades offered beginning with Field Grade and ending with Sousa Special. Enjoyed longest production life of any Ithaca double gun. Introduced in 1908, remained in production through 1926 when it was replaced by Ithaca New Double. Flues Model Ithaca gun, built on three-piece lock mechanism invented and patented by Emil Flues.

Ithaca double barrel shotgun models