Ithaca Mod 37 question

[romulus]

Regarding old-style and new-style forend assemblies...When I see pics of the older model 37s, the forend assembly seems to have a metal "ring" at the rear toward the receiver. The wood forend slips into this ring. The newer assemblies, from what I can see, do not have this retaining ring.

Does anyone know when Ithaca switched to the "ringless" forend assembly? Or a source for this part? Ithaca Gun and Numrich don't have them.

Thanks in advance