Model 37 Ithaca

[pdh]

Thought I would share an old M37 I bought off lady who's husband passed away.
The serial number is 91199. Made in 1946. It's in great mechanical condition...very smooth action.
I will probably leave it as is and hunt with it.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/hainespd/DSC02313.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/hainespd/DSC02318.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/hainespd/DSC02314.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/hainespd/DSC02315.jpg

[kozak6]

I love these old Ithacas. This one has character but but hasn't been abused.

Is that some kind of adjustable choke?

[hogbody74]

Is that a Cutts compensater on the ole girl?
hogbody74

[pdh]

It's a weaver muzzle brake. The chokes screw in at the end....

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/hainespd/DSC02324-1.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/hainespd/DSC02326.jpg

[jaguarxk120]

One of the nice thing about the Ithaca Model 37 is that the design has not changed over the years. The New Ithaca Co. got rid of the old machinery and the new guns are made on modern CNC equipment now.

Nice thing is parts are the same so if you need anything just call the factory and Zak in service will send you what you want.

A very nice find you will enjoy it for years to come.

[30-30remchester]

Nice find. If that old girl could talk I would think she would have some great hunting stories to tell. Look at the reciever where the gun balances. Seems the bluing is pretty much gone from years of being carried afield. If you will afford me some unsolicited advice, keep the old gun just the way she is. Resist any temptation to alter anything, she has earned to right to wear her dents, dings, scratches and rubs with pride. Unlike most guns these days that see little use, this gun has a history. It has been there, done that, and has the scars to prove it.

[jrothWA]

and confirm that there is a matching SN to the SN on the right front receiver face.

IF not, the have the headspace checked, as the barrel were specifically mated to the receiver, and not readily inter-changeable.

[Slugo]

Man, if that gun could only talk! The 37 is such a classic and solid shotgun. Very nice find...

[pdh]

Yes....the serial number matches the barrel and receiver

[jrothWA]

ENJOY!:D

[bravo124]

That's nice. Enjoy it. My uncle gave me one around the holidays. It was pretty FUBAR. He is not a gun guy and left it in his attic for over thirty years. He had a roof leak one year right over where he kept the gun. He just moved the gun and fixed the roof, never opening the case to see how much water got in there. I'm going to try and build it back up from the ground up. It's a project to say the least.

[pdh]

I thought about sending it up to diamondgunsmithing in Ithaca, ny to get it reblued....but I am going to leave her as is..............;)

[Will Beararms]

Great find. If you hunt Water Fowl, be sure to use Bismuth or Hevi Shot Classic Doubles. DO NOT use modern steel shot. Take it easy on the old gentleman.

[pdh]

I assume it will take the 2 3/4" magnum pressures ok?

[Will Beararms]

Yep if all is in good working order. Personally, I like 2-3/4" loads in the Bismuth and Hevi-Shot classic double brands. They shoot like the old Lead 2-3/4" #6's in the duck blind and decoy ranges and kick like a 20 gauge 3" which means they don't kick.

[pdh]

Thanks for the info there Will :) I thought of taking her out to do some turkey hunting.....