Condition: Like New
Ithaca Model 500 12ga Over/Under Shotgun 28” Barrels Full/Mod – 1968-70 Japanese Produced

This Ithaca Model 500 is an over/under shotgun in 12 gauge. Coming from a unique time in American gunmaking, this shotgun was produced by SKB in Japan under Ithaca supervision. This particular example appears to be the standard field model. The shotgun is in stunning Like New condition, with essentially no wear on the receiver, barrels, or furniture. All standard factory markings are present.

Condition
Overall Condition: Like New condition, with vanishingly few signs of prior use over its 55+ year life. The action appears to be in perfect working order.
Bore Condition: Like New – bright, with no pitting. The bores are chrome-lined from the factory.
Furniture Condition: Like New – the original stock and forend show essentially no handling marks. No cracks or chips are noted.
Specific Condition Notes: Top lever is right of center. Barrels are on face and the action is tight. All serial numbers including the forend are matching.

What's Included

  • Ithaca Model 500 12ga shotgun

The Ithaca Model 500 came about at an interesting moment in American gunmaking. The 1960s had seen major revisions to flagship American guns due to skyrocketing labor costs, and gunmakers were keen to bring quality, affordable guns to market. During the 1960s, the Ithaca Gun Company contracted with SKB in Japan to produce the Model 500 shotgun. Running from 1966, the Model 500’s production ended in 1979. Since then, these models have become somewhat of a sleeper, offering excellent build quality and performance at a surprising price.

Japanese machining has always been top notch, and this example is no different. This shotgun offers a familiar layout for American shotgunners, with the usual two barrels, top-mounted lever and safety, selectable barrels, etc. As typical on other Japanese-made guns, the wood to metal fit is superb.
Ithaca designed these guns both be beautiful as well as tough and durable. Hand-applied scroll engraving covers the entirety of the steel receiver, and an eye-catching gold plating is applied to the single trigger. The trigger houses the barrel selector switch. The receiver features Merkel-type breech fencing. The barrel breech ends feature jeweling in the white. Hand-cut checkering is present on the semi-pistol grip and the flared forend. For a long service life, the bores of both barrels are hard chrome-plated. The vent rib is also finely checkered to eliminate glare. An Ithaca Raybar fiber optic front bead is fitted for natural alignment when pointing the weapon.

This specific gun is in Like New condition. This appears to be the standard Field grade, based on contemporary Ithaca/SKB catalogs. The steel receiver and internal parts show essentially no wear. The barrel length is 28”. The barrel features expected factory rollmarks indicating its caliber, manufacture, etc., along with a choke markings of “Full/Mod”.

The shotgun’s furniture is factory standard, and is rated as Like New condition, with a satin finish. The wood stock and forend show no signs of cracking or splitting, and essentially no handling marks are noted. The semi-pistol grip has its original black grip cap present, as is the original black plastic buttplate.
This Ithaca Model 500 is an immaculate time capsule of its era, and its Like New condition makes this piece suitable for collectors of fine double barrels. Make this piece of history yours before it’s too late!

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Ithaca/SKB
  • Model: 500
  • Submodel: Field
  • Caliber: 12 gauge, 2 ¾”
  • Action Type: Double barrel
  • Locking mechanism: Boxlock
  • Firing mechanism: Internal hammer-fired
  • Safety mechanism: Sliding tang-mounted
  • Magazine type: N/A
  • Capacity: 2
  • Barrel Length: 28 in
  • Barrel Material: Steel
  • Barrel Features: Chrome-lined bores; factory checkered vent rib
  • Choke(s): Fixed Full/Mod
  • Sights: Front fiber optic bead
  • Scope Mount: N/A
  • Receiver Material: Steel
  • Finish: Blued with extensive scroll engraving
  • Furniture: Factory standard, satin finish
  • Furniture Features: Hand-cut checkering on stock and forend; black plastic grip cap
  • Size: Full-size sporting shotgun
  • Country of Origin: Japan
  • Year Manufactured: 1968-1970