Ithaca 37 questions

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I own an Ithaca DS Police special, it is parkerized with a full length magazine and choate synthetic stock and pachmyer forearm. The serial # is MAG 870035649. Does anyone have any further info on this gun as I havent been able to find much on the web. Thanks
 
I inherited a Ithaca M37 form my Father who was an avid gun collector. The receiver and barrel have the serial # 521XX and the stocks serial # 581XX. By looking on the internet it appears this is a 1942 gun. The receiver has hunting scenes engraved on both sides but the left side of the receiver it is stamped with P and US, the barrel is stamped with a Bomb and a P.
Any information about this gun would be greatly appreciated, see enclosed pictures.

M37004A.jpg

M37008A.jpg

M37010.jpg
 
I just found this thread and have read through all 27 pages; what a great resource, thanks! I have had my grandpa's Model 37 (SN 352221-4) 12GA since I was in my teens (about 30 years now) and used it to take an obscene number of pheasants in Eastern South Dakota over the years with nary a hickup. Over the past few years I began to question the wisdom of using such an old gun and almost retired it for good as to not damage it from use. I recenlty asked a friend/armorer who works at a gun range what he thought about still shooting it since I was concerned that the modern shells may cause a catastrophic malfunction...I know not to shoot steel through it. He advised that as long as the barrel was in good condition (it is) and all functions worked well (they do) that it will probably be shooting long after I have had to give up the sport.

This year will be my son's first pheasant hunt and and I would really like him to get his first bird with his great-grandpa's gun. Most of the posts here are just related to ownership without much mention of using the guns. I am looking for additional opinions about continuing to use this gun and any concerns you may have about loads, etc. It is full choke and has always been a hard-kicking, hard-killing bird gun; if you are on, it's dead. Diamond Gunsmithing's chart says this was made in 1941 (SN 352221); sound right? Thanks and sorry so long.
 
Shoot it!

I wouldn't worry one bit about shooting a 1942 model 37, they are about as simple and rugged as it gets. My 1942 Winchester m.12 and 1949 Ithaca m.37 get fired on a weekly basis, I shoot trap with them.
 
Henry455, that sure sounds & looks like a WWII 'Trench gun' used by our troops. Quite valuable and very collectable, hang on tight to it!
 
Hi fellas! 8 have a 1973 m37. I have a few questions I am hoping you guys can help me out with. First i was wondering how I can tell what choke this is. Next I was wondering about my reloading mechenism(sp?) sometimes when i pump 3 shells thru it the 3 rd shell will just fall out of the bottom.
I took it to a gunsmith and got charged for nothing.
The third thing i noticed latley is that when i shoot alot of rounds when we shoot clays the reciever gets loose from the stock.

Can you guys give me some help?
Thanks!
 
M37 Deerslayer questions re: original slug barrel:

Gentlemen All,

I've "joined the club", having picked up a well-used but functionally flawless 12 gauge M37 last night, made in 1961. I also read all 27 pages of this thread last night. Here are three questions I couldn't find answers to on my own:

1. The barrel appears to be a smoothbore slug barrel, because it's cylinder bore (measured with a dial indicator bore gage), and because it has a raised flat "boss" area on the top rear of the barrel on which the rear sight is located. The barrel measures 25.5 inches from the muzzle to the front of the receiver. The barrel and receiver serial numbers match, but NEITHER has a "dash" and number indicating the choke. Was the lack of a "dash" and number common on slug barrels that have front and rear sights?

2. The "ramp" under the rear sight (allowing elevation adjustment) is missing.
Any ideas as to where I might obtain one?

3. I've seen many pictures of M37's with the shorter cylindrical "ribbed" fore-end. Mine has the longer, smooth fore-end with slight concave sides that "overtravels" the receiver when pumped rearward. Is this correct for a 1961 M37? Were both available or was there a "switchover" one year?

I'd like to echo the sentiments of many other posters regarding the slickness of the M37 action. I cleaned/sprayed it thoroughly with Rem-Oil, and compared to my Mossberg 500 and my brother's 870, the M37 action operates like "wet ice on glass, in a vacuum". It also has a VERY clean breaking (and light) trigger.

This one's a real keeper. I just completed the CT Hunter Safety Course. I might take my very first deer with it!

Thanks, Supe
 
Gentlemen All,

I've "joined the club", having picked up a well-used but functionally flawless 12 gauge M37 last night, made in 1961. I also read all 27 pages of this thread last night. Here are three questions I couldn't find answers to on my own:

1. The barrel appears to be a smoothbore slug barrel, because it's cylinder bore (measured with a dial indicator bore gage), and because it has a raised flat "boss" area on the top rear of the barrel on which the rear sight is located. The barrel measures 25.5 inches from the muzzle to the front of the receiver. The barrel and receiver serial numbers match, but NEITHER has a "dash" and number indicating the choke. Was the lack of a "dash" and number common on slug barrels that have front and rear sights?
Click to expand...

You've got a "Deerslayer". They are renowned for being signifigantly more accurate with rifled slugs that the typical shotgun. The reason is that their barrels are a constant, less-than-normal-12 gauge-barrel-diameter. .729" is the diameter of an unchoked 12 gauge barrel. The Deerslayer barrels that I own measure a constant .705" from the forcing cone to the muzzle. This keeps the soft lead 12 gauge Foster-type of slug from rattling down the barrel, theoretically imparting more accuracy from it.

Since this barrel has no choke, in the normal sense, it is not identified on the outside of the barrel with a choke marking.

2. The "ramp" under the rear sight (allowing elevation adjustment) is missing.
Any ideas as to where I might obtain one?
Click to expand...

www.e-gunparts.com, Les Hovenkamp at www.diamondgunsmithing.com, and quite possibly at you freindly local gunsmith. They are fairly common.

3. I've seen many pictures of M37's with the shorter cylindrical "ribbed" fore-end. Mine has the longer, smooth fore-end with slight concave sides that "overtravels" the receiver when pumped rearward. Is this correct for a 1961 M37? Were both available or was there a "switchover" one year?
Click to expand...

That's the standard forend on the commercial Deerslayers.
 
Quick question for the Model 37 gurus. I've got two of them. My 1957 model 37 is an absolute dream and is my regular hunting gun. Recently my wife picked up a 1973 model 37 and this is the one I have a question about.

My local range mandates that we use steel shot when shooting clays. I can not use my 1957 model with steel shot as it's not rated for it and will tear up the inside of the barrel.

Does anyone know if the barrel on a 1973 Model 37 is ok to shoot steel shot through?

Here's a photo of both of them just for fun...

twoithacas.jpg
 
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ithaca model 37 featherlight questions

I just bought a ithaca 37 model featherlight 12 gauge for $100 from a guy who doest hunt anymore i am wanting to use it for deer hunting but a guy told me i cant shoot slugs out of it. The barrel is 27 inches says 2 3/4 chamber proof tested on it, was wanting to know if i can indeed shoot slugs out of it if not what type of ammo do i need to shoot a deer from it, anybody know the value of this i did some research on it it was made in 1973, and in great shape.
 
Henry455,
I have a similar model 37. Mine was made in 1941 and is stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" on both the receiver and the barrel.

Mine is not a trench gun. It has a full choke 28" barrel.

I can't tell you what they are worth. The story with mine is that it was kept at a midwest base during the war and the men could use it for hunting in the surrounding area. There were trench guns in the armory as well for guards. That was from my grandfather who was stationed there during the war and purchased the gun as surplus at the end of the war.
 
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Black Talon, thank you very much for your detailed answers to my questions. I didn't know about the "less than normal" diameter of a Deerslayer barrel, so it will be interesting to see how accurate my M37 is when I sight it in with foster slugs this weekend. I also appreciate the tips for finding a replacement ramp for the rear sight. This is a great forum and a particularly informative thread. You all are to be commended.

Supe
 
need help info on a m87

M 87 DS.POLICE SPECIAL It's nickel plated with synthetic pistol grip and fore was told there was not many of these made. was wondering what year it was made and about how much it is worth it is in like new condition my friend bought it new he said it is the way he bought it with the pistol grip and all but the pistol grip says 37 on it any input on this ? thanks tom.
 
picked up another m37 today. the serial # is like 37112000x. it is 12ga parkerized with a 20" cyl bore and a bead front sight. it looks to of never have been taken apart and the slide only racked a few times.. very, very nice shotgun. I believe it to be one of the police riot ones from the 60's and 70's I would say the finish is like around 95%. tommorrow it will get a good cleaning as it came out of a estate sale.
 
Hi guys I think I just scored a good deal on a 1972 deerslayer 18.5 inch,has some light surface rust and light use do you think I should reblue it or just clean up the rust and put a coat of oil on it thanks oh I gave $150 for it
 
Ihave an opportunity to purchase a new, in original box model 37. Serial number is 371466xxx. I believe that it was made in 1975. 20 guage,28" barrel, modified choke. Any opinion on the value? If I choose to shoot this gun, can I shoot steel out of it?
 
Can anyone tell me how to find out when my Ithica 12 gauge double barrel shotgun was made and how much it is worth? (my rcpt says model: LEWIS and SERIAL# 68868):confused:
 
Age?

I have a model 37, 12 gauge, with the serial number 586588-2. Can somebody tell me the age of this? I'd really appreciate it.
 
I have a model 37, 12 gauge, with the serial number 586588-2. Can somebody tell me the age of this? I'd really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

I show 1955. Send me your email address privately and I will send you my source file.
 
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