Manufactured circa 1919, the Sousa Special is named for famous band leader and composer John Philip Sousa, and was the highest grade single barrel offered by Ithaca. Fitted with a single white bead sight, the barrel is extensively decorated, with engraving on the sides and rear of the rib, a single gold band and 1 inch wedges of punch-dot backed leafy scroll at the muzzle, and 1 1/4 inch scroll wedges just head of the chamber area. The chamber area is 98% plus covered with engraving, chiefly in the leafy scroll pattern, with "ITHACA GUN CO" and "ITHACA, N.Y." in ribbons on the left and right, respectively, a pair of gold inlaid partridges on the right side and a pair of grouse on the left. Equal engraving coverage is present on the frame, with a pair of ducks in flight over a gold-highlighted marsh on the left side and two pheasants standing in a field on the right. Two more designs are inlaid on the underside, rendered in gold and silver; the bottom of the frame has an American Eagle, gold overall with a silver eagle head, arrowheads and fletching, and the trigger/guard has a golden scene of a sun rising behind a waving flag, with the flagpole rendered in silver. A pair of three-dimensional sculpted flowers are present, with one on the left side of the barrel cross bolt and the other covering the takedown button on the underside of the forearm latch. The engraving extends to the forearm hardware, including the interior area concealed by the barrels when assembled. With a fancy walnut checkered pistol grip stock, showing an ebony forearm tip insert, geometric and fleur-de-lis panel accents, checkering on the wrist flats, a golden inscription panel (unmarked) on the horn grip cap, "CHICAGO/1923" in a shield on the underside of the stock, and a triple-layer Jostam solid recoil pad. Measurements: weight - 8 pounds 1.2 ounces, choke - improved modified, chamber - 2 3/4 inches, drop at comb - 1 1/2 inches, drop at heel - 1 1/2 inches, length of pull - 14 to end of pad, 12 1/2 to end of wood.

Very good as professionally refinished, with 98% of the high polish blue, showing some mild spotting on the underside of the rib and mild handling marks overall. The case colors are bright and vivid, with some fading along the edges. All engraving is sharp, all inlays are strong, and the sculpted flowers are excellent. The wood is very good, with some mild handling marks and attractive grain. Mechanically excellent.