All,
Many thanks to James Stubbendieck for the quick turn around on the attached research letter!
Thought I would share to close the loop on this forum thread.
Quick Summary:
Shipping ledger shows that this gun was finished Nov 22nd, 1940 and shipped the same day in the following configuration:
- 20 gauge Ideal Grade with 26-inch and 28-inch barrels
- Built on feather-weight frame
- Automatic ejectors
- Selective Hunter One-Trigger
- Beavertail Forend (BTFE)
Per the research letter and this thread:
- Total production of 20 gauge Ideal Grades during the period 1912 to 1950 was 3659.
- Only 14 Ideal Grades in 20 gauge were shipped with two sets of barrels
- Only 102 Ideal Grades in 20 gauge were ordered with a BTFE
Only part I’m not sure of, based on the info I have to date, is whether the barrel loop reinforcing wedges were installed at the factory.