Ithaca 37

[bunnykiller]

I just bought a Ithaca 37 its a 5 shot, parkerized, oil finished walnut stock and was built in 1965. It has a 20" FULL choke barrel. I was told these guns were built for the marine corp for combat in Vietnam and mine was part of a production over run. This gun seems to be a rare model with the full choke, I would sure like to find out more about this gun, any input apretiated.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Does it have ordnance marks? For a Vietnam era issue Ithaca riot gun, this would consist of a small "U. S." stamped on the right side of the receiver just behind the barrel and a "P" proof mark on the forward left curve of the receiver and on the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The serial number range is approximately S1000 to S23000, according to Canfield's book.

Canfield doesn't mention any full choke riot guns made specifically for the USMC during the war in Southeast Asia that I could find... was that a gun shop story?

fwiw,

lpl

 

[bunnykiller]

The gun has no stampings at all, serial number is all numbers no letters, but my reaserch indicates it was made in 1965. The fellow I bought it from has been collecting for many decades and has no reason to not be truthfull, most of the info he gave me was after I bought the gun. I would of bought it just for what it is regardless of anything someone told me true or false. But from what he has told me and some independant research these were made for the marine corps with full choke 20" and a few production over runs were let go to the public. I was also told Thay it would be very unlikely to ever see another one of these in his fourty plus years of collecting he only found the one example. After buying it I shot a few rounds of skeet with it and it sure destroys clays with its tight pattern. I own many pump guns including other Ithacas and there is something special about this one for sure.

 

[Fred Fuller]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/19..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1WDMBR8VW7NMD1R8GKC2

I'm not a collector, and certainly don't presume to be any sort of expert. Above is a link to the source I used, FWIW.

You might find more help at:

http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=122
Forum: Military Shotguns
Forum for discussions about military shotguns

fwiw,

lpl

 

[Tom D]

Never heard of a Marine Corps connection for these shotguns.

"Full" choked barrels are found on the 1960s police riot guns.

If you can give us an idea of the serial number we may be able to tell you more about your shotgun.