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Ithaca Leveraction

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4.7K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Not_Infringed  
R
#1 ·
I saw an Ithaca leveraction the other day and have never seen one before. It was called a model 72 and had made in W. Germany stamped on the barrel. It was in real nice condition. I'm wondering what something like this is worth and how scarce are they. Are they desireable? Thanks. RRM
 
M
#2 ·
Nice guns if it's in great condition. I have one (22 WMRF) that is scary accurate, and has taken many, many jackrabbits and small game. ERMA made/makes Olympic competition guns for decades and did a nice job on the Ithaca 72's The barrels are all Walther.

Strangely, they don't command prices above 200-250 even in as-new condition, but they often out-shoot rimfires twice their price.

The ERMA-made Ithaca 72 is the design that Henry copied for their excellent lever action rimfires. Consider Henry if you ever need replacement parts!

:bthumb:
 
#4 · (Edited)
RRM,

That same gun was also sold as the Iver Johnson Wagonmaster. Anthony Imperato, president of Henry Repeating Arms, told me that his father, Louis, designed the Erma-produced Ithaca 72. Someone by the name of Imperato worked for Ithaca, and for Iver Johnson. Henry bought the tooling from Erma (or its creditors), and moved production to the United States. Please, take a look at this:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310671#2

To round out our "history leson", The Imperato family has been in the gun business since the early 1900s. They own the John Jovino gunshop in New York. The late Lou Imperato, a few decade ago, was involved in importing some replica black powder revolvers for Colt, through (I think) his Iver Johnson connection. Someone on this forum, in the Henry section, had posted a link to the article about it.

EDIT:

I found the link to the article. Here it is:

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/POWDER/MBPHistoryOfColtBlack.pdf

...it originally came from Hardcase, in this thread:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298842

BigLoop22
 
#8 ·
BigLoop22 said:
RRM,

That same gun was also sold as the Iver Johnson Wagonmaster. Anthony Imperato, president of Henry Repeating Arms, told me that his father, Louis, designed the Erma-produced Ithaca 72. Someone by the name of Imperato worked for Ithaca, and for Iver Johnson. Henry bought the tooling from Erma (or its creditors), and moved production to the United States. Please, take a look at this:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310671#2

To round out our "history lesson", The Imperato family has been in the gun business since the early 1900s. They own the John Jovino gunshop in New York. The late Lou Imperato, a few decade ago, was involved in importing some replica black powder revolvers for Colt, through (I think) his Iver Johnson connection. Someone on this forum, in the Henry section, had posted a link to the article about it.

EDIT:

I found the link to the article. Here it is:

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/POWDER/MBPHistoryOfColtBlack.pdf

...it originally came from Hardcase, in this thread:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298842

BigLoop22
Click to expand...
BigLoop, thanks for those sources, an interesting education I didn't know, and I appreciate the work it takes to get all this together for the rest of us guys, Thanks!
 
D
#9 ·
Ithaca 72

I own 2 Ithaca 72s. One if them is a very good gun and works good. I own Henrys, and have taken them both apart and the Ithaca resembles it in every way, and all parts are interchangable. That one is a 72a. I have another which is a model 72 (no a) and it is pure rubbish. It has similar workings, but a lot of the parts are different and not interchangable with the henry or the Ithaca 72a. I also have an Erma eg71 which is the same as the Ithaca 72 and it also is rubbish
 
#10 · (Edited)
22AGS,

You are welcome!:D

**************​

Different,

If you read the article "Ithaca Model 72 Rifle", that I scanned, in this link:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310671#2

...then you will find out about some of the differences between the very first Ithaca 72/ Erma levergun, and the "revised" version. Your two "rubbish" guns sound like they are from the first batch.

This diagram appears to be of the first edition of the rifle:

Image


When you compare it to this "Henry" diagram, you will see a few differences (such as, different carriers) :

Image


BigLoop22
 
#12 ·
I have the Ithaca Model 72 Lever Action Saddlegun. It is one of my favorite guns to shoot. Accuracy tends to suffer a little due to the non-free floating barrel though. I also have the original owner's manual, so if you want, I can scan that it in and email it to you.

I did some research on it a while back and found this info out (perhaps this was also covered in the links provided). How much did you end up paying for it and what kind of condition is it in?

From The blue book, 28th edition

Model 72 saddle gun
Offered in a .22 and a .22 mag version
lever action
18.5" barrel
hooded front sight
manufactured 1973-1978 by Erma Werke, W. Germany
Value: 100% $375
98% $325
95% $275
80% $175
60% $125

Model 72 deluxe
Similar to model 72, except has silver finished engraved receiver
deluxe walnut
octagon barrel
Manufactured 1974-1976
Value: 100% $450
90% $250
60% $145
Click to expand...
 
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