ithaca mod 500 12ga O/U
I have a ithaca model 500 O/U 12ga that has been re-blued and is in great working condition. It has been gone through by a local gun dealer and passed his inspection.
I need to know what it is worth so I can trade if for a 20ga youth deer gun for my son.
I need to know what it is worth so I can trade if for a 20ga youth deer gun for my son.
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This is always tough when things have been redone. If you can't find it in the Blue Book it's because it was made by SKB for Ithaca and you look under SKB ( It took me a while). They list a 90% example at $365 but they emphasize to check for bluing wear at the front and back of the trigger guard and the bottom of the reciever. Also to subtract 15% for non gold trigger and 15% more if less than 50% engraving coverage. Also problems with hairline cracks at wrist of stock. When reblued, it usually detracts from value so it's hard to say. My opinion is if the gun is good mechanically,it should be worth at least $365 as a shooter. There are 'cult' lovers of Ithaca (like us Browning cults, ect) that might be more interested. A real collector or serious follower of Ithaca will likely be put off by the reblue. 0 -
With all due respect to differing opinions...
The gun is a modern SKB made in Japan. The gun has been reblued which indicates either a lack of quality or heavy use. Since quality was never an issue that I'm aware of, I'll go for use.
That leads to the conclusion that you have a good utility gun. Lots of miles left, no serious worries about another scratch, and ready to polish off another coat of blue.
Since it's possible to pick up a nice Red Label for about $1,000 (you don't find used) or a Citori for about the same money (used are available at somewhat reduced prices), I can't see why a good quality O/U such as yours wouldn't go for $400.00.
The problem is that your local dealer is going to offer half that in trade. For $200.00 I'd burn the gun before letting it go. Sometime in the future you'll regret the move because you'll have redeveloped a burning desire for an O/U.
And that's my two cents.
Nord0 -
I've seen older Ithaca's on dealer racks for anywhere from $550 to $800. The Blue Book itself says as a cautionary note to look for loss of bluing, so I assumed that it was originally very thin or had problems. Nothing against an Ithaca O/U, it's just that they seem to sit in the racks here for a long time. The values I quoted are from the Gun Blue Book. Personally, I think it should be worth $500+, but you will have to find a person that likes it to get that. Another part of the country may be different as we all know.
I had a Reminton model 8 rifle that was very nice but had been reblued. Of course, the dealers all whined about it not being original. I finally found a guy that was a shooter and had been looking for one to shoot as a sport and was more than happy to buy it.
That's what I meant by not being worth as much. You just have to be more patient for the right guy that has memories or just plain appreciated the nuances of that particular gun to get what it's really worth to both of you.0 -
keep the o&u and buy the youth gun. when he grows up, he'll grow out of his gun, sell it, and guess what will be available to him in your gun closet? the old ithaca. and besides, he'll enjoy it more because he'll remember it as 'yours,' making it worth much more than the trade in you would have gotten. something about loving sons and dads, reblueing doesnt mean a thing. its a feature that cant be bought in a store. hope i helped.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0
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