Ithaca 37 questions

yeah .. thanks! well I didnt know it was that old! Iv only shot 2 steel shot out of it... I wont any more just in case.. Iv shot mostly just lead 8 shot at squirrels .. should i shoot it much any more at all? or just make sure i shoot lead out of it. can you shoot duck with lead? I thought it was illegal? I dont know like I said.. im a rookie at all this. glad i came here to learn a few things before i go and screw up a sweet gun! Thanks!

Ithaca 37 riot

Hello all, I've enjoyed what I've seen here so far. Very interesting. I have a question about an Ithaca model 37 featherlight Riot gun. My father had used this on the police force back in the 60's. The serial # is 1010xxx. Any information on this shotgun would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ithaca mdl 37

I happen to own one that was purchased before the first time
they went out of bussiness. It was the delux Featherweight with
a grip cap on the stock with red back ground and a flying pheasant.
Forearm is beavertail shaped rather than round. 12gauge 2 3/4, it
came with a 28" mod vent. barrel. Through the years added 30" full
and 26" imp cyc. so I have a three barrel choice. My understanding
is the company is once again out of business! Condition is like new
without box or papers due being lost in a move. I can find nothing
of the value of this firearm with it's two extra barrels. I have no idea
what kind of a replacement value to put on it for insurance purposes.
Any ideas? Oops left out gold plated trigger, and checkered pistol
grip and forearm.

My understanding is the company is once again out of business!

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No, they're still operating, just not in Ithaca. I think there was another change in ownership there. They were pretty quick in replying to my email about refinishing and doing some other work on my 37DS, a 1970 model.
I haven't dealt with, but have seen a lot of recommendations for Diamond Gunsmithing, which is in Ithaca, NY.

Hello all, I've enjoyed what I've seen here so far. Very interesting. I have a question about an Ithaca model 37 featherlight Riot gun. My father had used this on the police force back in the 60's. The serial # is 1010xxx. Any information on this shotgun would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Your gun was built in 1968.

I"ve been pretty lucky with Ithacas. Have 2 riot models and one regular. Picked up the regular for $100, hard chromed riot DSPS for $210 and a parked riot with brass bead for $275

Did Ithaca make a hard chromed version? Not sure if it's factory or not. S/N on it is 15950xx , I think that makes it 1975 or 76? The parked one is 17154xx , early 80's?

I kinda like 'em, well any short shotgun, but particularly the M37

hey im new to this web site, and i have a question. i just recieved a model 37 featherlight for christmas, i believe it was made early 80s maybe, with a fixed choke. does anyone know what the choke may be? mod,cyl? it would really help to find this out. i love the gun easy to rise and shoot fast. also how would it fair for a turkey hunt?

My chromed one doesn't seem to have the choke stamped on it, but my other 2 have it stamped on the left hand side, just ahead of where the bbl meets the receiver. The riot has CYL. and the 2 barrels for my other have SKT. and FULL.

If it isn't marked, I believe it can be measured and determined from there.

Welcome aboard

Did Ithaca make a hard chromed version? Not sure if it's factory or not. S/N on it is 15950xx , I think that makes it 1975 or 76? The parked one is 17154xx , early 80's?

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Yes, Ithaca made hard chrome DSPS and M&P's. They also made (shiny) nickel ones as well (as well as blue and parked versions too ).

SN 15950xx is not a legitimate M37 SN. If you mean 3715950xx, that was built in 1976.

SN 17154xx is also not a legitimate M37 SN. If you mean 3717154xx, that was built in 1981.

hey im new to this web site, and i have a question. i just recieved a model 37 featherlight for christmas, i believe it was made early 80s maybe, with a fixed choke. does anyone know what the choke may be? mod,cyl? it would really help to find this out.

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It could be any choke form IC to Mod to Full.

If it's a post 855,000 serial numbered gun, the choke will be marked on the left side of the barrel to the right, and below, the Ithaca factory stamping.

If it's a pre-855,000 gun, the choke will be marked as a "dash number" appended to the end of the gun's serial number, which is marked on the right side of the barrel over the chamber.

Black_Talon, Thanks for the info
Both serials had 37 before them, thought it was superfluous.

What exactly makes an M&P model? long mag tube and bead sight?

If I could bother you for another serial date, 37 13751xx That's my third that I gave to my father. Bought it for $100, blued with engraved receiver.

Thanks in advance

What exactly makes an M&P model? long mag tube and bead sight?

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Typically (unfortunately, with Ithaca, there were no hard and fast with their configurations) the features of the M&P would be 1)unengraved receiver, 2) bead sight, 3) oil-finished stock (with or without checkering and with or w/o factory installed recoil pad). They were made in both the 5 round and 8 round configurations.

If I could bother you for another serial date, 37 13751xx That's my third that I gave to my father. Bought it for $100, blued with engraved receiver.

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That one was built in 1974.

thanks talon! i have another question when was the gun made? the number on it is 3716070xx

when was the gun made? the number on it is 3716070xx

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1977.

I have a pretty interesting story about mine. My father bought me a brand new 37 when I graduated from High School in 1974, about 5 yrs later it was stolen, and I was broken hearted over it for a long time. Then a couple years ago I picked up a used one at a pawn shop for $110 with a serial # of 1375xxx which if I am right puts it right at the same age.

Model 37

I have a Model 37 that belonged to my Dad. The serial number is 631072 -2. How do I find out what year/month it was manufactured. It was always my understanding that my dad was out duck hunting with it the day I was born. Besides hunting with it a few times when I was a kid, I used it for trap & skeet shooting back in the mid 70's - nice gun.

Since I haven't used it in 30 years, any recommendations before I use it other than a good cleaning?

Thanks,

The serial number is 631072 -2. How do I find out what year/month it was manufactured.

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Your gun was built in 1956. The "-2" at the end of the serial number indicates that the barrel is choked "modified".

First post, long time lurker. I was wondering if Talon could tell me about my 37 serial #5563xx Love this gun, have taken everything from turkey to quail with mine.

I am new to this forum, can anyone tell the year of birth for my Model 37 16 ga
serial number 3787XX

I was wondering if Talon could tell me about my 37 serial #5563xx

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Your 37 was built in 1954.

Welcome to THR!!!

I am new to this forum, can anyone tell the year of birth for my Model 37 16 ga
serial number 3787XX

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DOB = 1951

Im so upset . My Grandfather handed down a 12ga Model 37 Featherwieght, I took it in to a supposed "gunsmith" about 6 years ago to have it reblued. He told me he had to polish down certain spots because of pitting, I cant find the serial # !!. Can someone PLEASE help me ballpark the year of manufacture? My Dad says the gun was definatley manufactured before 1962, because thats the year he want in the service and knows that my grandfather had it long before that. The gun is a 12ga. featherwieght with a removable/interchangeable barrel and engraving of grouse on the side. Was there a year that Ithica started engraving flushed grouse on the side so I'll know its at least that old? I know Im asking alot here. I'll try to get any other info if someone asks me what to look for. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the birth date Black_Talon

High Planes Drifter said:

I cant find the serial # !!. Can someone PLEASE help me ballpark the year of manufacture?

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Assuming you didn't actually buff off the serial number in the first place, I'll bet what you have is a "pre-855,00" serial numbered gun. You'll find the serial number in two separate places:

1) On the receiver. Look on the front face of the receiver, on the right side. It will be there.

2) On the barrel. Pre-855,000 guns (which is what yours would be if it truly is a 1962 model) have barrels that are fitted to each individual receiver so they are serial numbered to match the number on the receiver. The serial number on the barrel is located on the right side, over the area where the chamber is. It will be the same as the serial number on the receiver, but will be followed by a "dash number". This dash number indicates the choke that was in the barrel when it left the factory. For instance, if the serial number on the receiver is 805372, the barrel will be marked 805372-x, with the "x" being a digit from 0 to 5, depending on how the barrel was choked.

Bought a 1969 Ithaca 37 Featherlight (with engraved receiver) and 28-inch vent rib barrel for $175 and it was the best money I ever spent. Rock solid gun, never a problem, and the retro syle trumps other guns, especially the boring-as-macaroni 870. And bottom ejection is cool.