Ithaca Light 22 Lever Action

Question
QUESTION: I remember my Dad bought me an Ithaca Light 22 lever action rifle back in the mid 70's. I sold it and hate myself for doing so. I cant find any trace of this rifle ever being made. I contacted Ithaca as well. I have looked at other Ithaca rifles but they do not look the same. Can you help me? Thanks Much. I am sure the thing was called Ithaca Light or Lite.

ANSWER: Denson,

I am honestly not aware of any gun called the Ithaca 'light'.  Ithaca did make two different versions of a .22 caliber lever gun.  One was the Model 49 Saddlegun.  It came in a single shot and repeating version.  The single shot was manufactured between 1961 and 1978.  The repeater was manufactured between 1965 and 1971.

The other version was the Model 72.  It had an 18.5 inch barrel and a hooded front sight.  It was made between 1973 and 1978 by Erma Werke in Germany for Ithaca.  I have included links below that will show you pictures of the two guns.

http://www.leverguns.com/leverguns/ithaca_model49.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/leverguns/ithaca_model72.htm

These were the only .22 caliber lever guns made by Ithaca as far as I know...

Some of the Ithaca shotguns did have the word 'light' in their model names, like the Ithaca Featherlight Shotgun, but none of the lever guns did.

Hope this helps,

Doug





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I must be mistaken. Maybe it was sold by Sears. I remember my dad bought me a Sears 12 ga. pump shotgun made by Winchester. Thanks for your prompt response.
D

Answer
Denson,

Sears did sell a version of the single shot Model 49.  It was branded as a "Ted Williams" rifle.  They had different 'descriptive names' than the manufacturers version did.  Also, Marlin and Stevens made a lot of guns for Sears, some of them .22 caliber lever guns.

Best regards,

Doug