Author Topic: Help in info/dating Ithaca Mod. 37 (Read 590 times)

djb · « **on:** December 09, 2005, 01:02:52 AM »

Hello, I am new here. I was hoping someone could help me in aging a shotgun. I friend knows I love older/classic guns and gave me a 16 gauge Ithaca Model 37 for my b-day. I gave it a thorough cleaning and it appears to be in good condition. It has an accu-chock installed that I believe was not original as the barrel is stamped mod. This choke does funtion well. It has a trigger block safety that is set up for a lefty. I can see an easy way to modify it for I am right handed. I can find no dates on it only the serial #. The barrel is stamped 442xxx the action is stamped without the first 4 (42xxx). Can someone give me a date for this gun?

Second, I am not a novice with firearms but shotguns are not my "specialty" (this is now my only one). I believe the 37 was a John Browning design. I was wondering if it is okay shoot high brass shells through it. I'd like to shoot #4's for rabbits and turkey in the spring, and I can't find any low brass loads. Thank you in advance.

wink_man · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2005, 01:01:54 PM »

Unfortunately, Ithaca Gun, has also gone the way of the passenger pigeon, closing their doors permanently earlier this year. They used to have a good website, that showed all Ithaca 37's produced each year by the company, serial number wise. Unfortunately, I never copied this file from their website, never thinking they would ever go out of business. Here is what I know, as an Ithaca 37 was my first real gun purchased used, way back in 1967 or so(getting old, don't remember now). The designation '37' stands for the year 1937, the year they started business. My Ithaca 37 is a 12 gauge(I still have it), serial number 864,XXX, and was manufactured in 1963. This will at least give you a rough idea. Also, if the gun is UNDER serial number 855,000 barrels are NOT interchangeable, the gun was required to go back to the factory for a barrel to be fitted. Hope this helps a little.
Sincerely,
Garry

Gregory · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2005, 01:54:14 PM »

First gun I ever bought was a Model 37. I purchased mine new in 1970. I picked a 16 ga over a 12 ga. because of price ($90 vs $120). The $90 was a week's take home pay for me back then (I was 18 yrs old).

Mine had a "ringtail" forend.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/TheFlash/Ithaca37_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gunforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php%3FCat%3D%26Number%3D6874%26page%3D%26view%3D%26sb%3D5%26o%3D&h=338&w=450&sz=13&tbnid=pAHkLDP_MlAJ:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&hl=en&start=23&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dithaca%2Bmodel%2B37%26start%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

wink_man · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2005, 03:05:35 PM »

Man Gregory, I am 54, and you're taking me right back to the late 60's. When I bought my Ithaca, I was 15, I couldn't possibly afford a new one. I had a chance to buy this one used, from my Firearms Safety Course Instructor, who was my neighbor, back in the days when you took your course in the instructors living room of his house. The gun was a great buy, at 75 dollars. I only had 55 dollars, and had to sell my Crossman 22 pellet pump rifle for 20 dollars to come up with the rest of the cash. Broke my heart, but no regrets now, my son now proudly carries that Ithaca 37, and in all those years, it has never failed either of us, never broke, and has always functioned flawlessly.
Sincerely,
Garry