What's in the Box?

[ssgross]

Here is how it came to me - at the best price $0. (Well, to be fair I bought him lunch).
Looks to be mostly all here.

So what is it? An Ithaca Lewis model side by side, early 1903 (https://ithacagun.com/serial-numbers/)

I've had it for about a year now in the backlog. I'm getting ready to finally close out several other projects that were waiting on me to finish bluing barrels and magazine tubes. So I figured to optimize the effort I should get this thing ready to boil and at least stop the deterioration. It looks a lot worse than it actually is. A lot of loose surface rust on top of the barrels that was well-oiled years ago. The oil has since dried up making the rust appear super thick and scaly. Should clean up fine.

I'm not sure what grade the gun was originally, but there are Damascus tubes under all that crud. The ribs seem tight and the barrels still ring. The bores are bright and un-rusted, but the right one has a few small dents about 1/3 back from the muzzle. I'd be cautious with old Damascus barrels, but with no corrosion in the bores and still ringing they should be ok.

I was able to get the bottom plate off and it looks like most of the internals are there. Someone before me tried to take it apart and put some screws and bits in masking tape or baggies with labels.

The stock shows no special figuring, but has a blowout in the expected place. Shard is in two pieces, and I only have the lower (larger) piece. So that will be interesting. I'll wait till I know if I can get it running first before I decide on what to do with the wood - salvage and repair, or carve a new stock.

This one will take a while to do. I can't find a parts diagram anywhere to verify I have everything, but at least we'll know soon enough what it's beauty potential is.

[Singer B]

That stuff under the crud is called "patina." At least that is what I call it when I can't afford or don't want to to have it reblued!

[browningautorifle]

I expect you'll rust blue after a hand paper polish? That blow out is all done for shooting unless you take them down to under that for a coach gun. It might come around...if you just fill the blow out and blue, it'll be a beauty of a hanger.

[ssgross]

I expect you'll rust blue after a hand paper polish?

that's how I'd go about it. I've been seeing pictures that shows these left with case-hardened actions. If it ends up as a wall hanger, I might try some faux case hardening with cold blue. But with the barrels in such good condition under the crud, and ribbing still good, I may want to use it. We'll see. Lots of time to ponder it all.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Popcorn is ready. Awaiting progress photos.

[ssgross]

Popcorn is ready

might want to ration the popcorn to make it last. long road ahead on this one.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

might want to ration the popcorn to make it last. long road ahead on this one.

Based on your previous posts. It will be worth the wait. And popcorn is the only thing that is still relatively cheap. Let the inspiration begin.

[ssgross]

popcorn is the only thing that is still relatively cheap

...and FireBall.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

.and FireBall.

I will take your word on that as I only use in an emergency.

[Daan Kemp]

Really looks like an excellent candidate for restoration. Looks like a shooter too.