SHOTGUN: ITHACA GUN COMPANY MODEL FLUES MODEL 12 GA, SERIAL NUMBER 242188, BLACK (MATTE), CASE NOT INCLUDED, SIDE BY SIDE / DOUBLE BARREL, 12 GAUGE, 29.5"USED Notes: SHOTGUN: ITHACA GUN COMPANY MODEL FLUES MODEL 12 GA, SERIAL NUMBER 242188, BLACK (MATTE), CASE NOT INCLUDED, SIDE BY SIDE / DOUBLE BARREL, 12 GAUGE, 29.5"USED This shotgun is an Ithaca Flues Model manufactured in 1913. According to historical Ithaca Gun Company serial number logs, production for the year 1913 spanned from serial number 230100 to 242599. Firing this vintage firearm requires careful attention to critical safety precautions and specific ammunition requirements. Crucial Safety & Firing GuideBecause this gun was built well over a century ago, it was engineered for a very different era of ammunition manufacturing:Chamber Length Warning: Your 1913 12-gauge was originally factory-chambered for 2 1/2" or 2 ?" shells, not modern 2 3/4" or 3" shells. While a modern 2 3/4" plastic shell will physically fit inside the chamber, the plastic crimp will not have room to open safely when fired. This creates a dangerous constriction point, causing catastrophic spikes in chamber pressure.The "Flues" Frame Weakness: Emil Flues' lightweight frame design is notoriously thin around the breech area. Firing modern smokeless hunting ammunition can completely crack or shatter the metal frame.No Steel Shot: Never shoot modern steel or tungsten waterfowl shot through these barrels. The steel is too hard for vintage barrels and will bulge or split the chokes.How to Safely Enjoy ItTo safely shoot your 1913 Flues, you must bypass the standard ammunition aisle at your local sporting goods store:Have a Gunsmith Measure the Chambers: A gunsmith specializing in vintage double barrels must inspect the bores for pits, check for stock cracks behind the receiver, and measure the exact chamber length.Buy Specialized Low-Pressure Ammunition: If the gun is deemed safe to shoot, only use specialized, low-pressure 2 1/2" vintage shotgun shells. Manufacturers like RST Classic Shotshells make low-pressure lead and bismuth loads specifically designed to keep old American side-by-sides running safely.