Ithaca SKB 280E 12 gauge

[Stephen Ausband]

Hello to those in the know, I am looking for some advice. I have the opportunity to make a private purchase of an Ithaca SKB model 280E in 12 gauge. This is a side by side shotgun with 28" barrels, choked full and modified, with ejectors, and an English style straight grip stock. Single trigger, with selector.
Not sure if the "E" in the title refers to the English grip or the ejectors. In fact I am not really sure of much at all when it comes to this Ithaca, other than the fact that it feels really good in the hands and that it looks and feels to be in excellent shape.
I am a casual shotgun enthusiast, shoot sporting clays and skeet at the club twice a month (a solid "Participant Ribbon" kind of shooter) and hunt the odd pheasant, partridge and rabbit occasionally. Only ever used an O/U and a pump before.
Looking for some insight into build quality, do they last, etc. I do know that fit is important, and this gun seems to really come up nice for me.
Any thoughts? Any idea on a fair price for this above average condition shotgun?
Many Thanks,
Dean

Not exactly the same gun, but for what it's worth I'll relate my experience with the Ithaca SKB. When my son was about 10 I bought him a 20 gauge SKB, a used one. He is in his early 50s now, and he still hunts with it occasionally. He has many other guns for more specialized game, of course, but when he wants to go on a dove hunt or a quail hunt, the SKB gets the nod. It's a plain-jane sxs, but I think it has nice lines, and he always shot it well. Interestingly enough, he recently found an identical gun and bought it for his oldest daughter to hunt with. That's an endorsement. When he was a kid, he killed innumerable small game with it, along with doves, quail, a few ducks, and at least two deer. (Yes, at close range a 3" load of #2 buckshot will kill a Virginia whitetail very dead.) As I said, he has other guns now for most hunting needs, but once a year the little Ithaca comes out for a bird hunting trip. I think he just likes to have an excuse to clean it.

 

[DmacD]

That is quite the endorsement! I am keeping an eye out for a 20 gauge now myself.
Thanks.