Older Ithaca 37s

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dak0ta

dak0ta

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Hi,

I want to get one but I want to know what to look for in a used gun. Corn-cob foreends are common but are not as nice as the ones with the fleur-de-lis pattern. Are those guns older models? And some come with fiberoptic red sights. Some have red recoil pads, others with black plastic butt plates. And the grip cap sometimes has a black piece saying ithaca. Just wondering which years had which configuration and what to look for mechanically.

Thanks
 
Other than the earlier guns having hand-fitted barrels (no swapping of tubes), they really haven't changed in the last 7 decades. Just find a nice one that fits your needs.
 
Just like other brands have differing models, so did Ithaca. I have a 1964 trap model with the nice forend, a 30" barrel, and the red sight. Everyone should have an older classic shotgun to shoot, care for, and share with others. The Ithaca 37 is one of those choices in my opinion. Like the above post says...Find one you like and get busy enjoying it!
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How much should pay for one in decent condition, plain barrel (no VR), full choke? Do 20 ga demand more than 12 ga?
 
dak0ta said:
Hi,

I want to get one but I want to know what to look for in a used gun. Corn-cob foreends are common but are not as nice as the ones with the fleur-de-lis pattern. Are those guns older models? And some come with fiberoptic red sights. Some have red recoil pads, others with black plastic butt plates. And the grip cap sometimes has a black piece saying ithaca. Just wondering which years had which configuration and what to look for mechanically.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Examine head of butt stock carefully for cracks when looking at second-hand Ithaca 37. Besides current new ones the most expensive guns are those from late 90s with cut checkering vent ribs and choke tubes. The ones made from mid-sixties and before tend to have more attention to detail and more hand finishing but are surprisingly inexpensive in plain field grade models. The dreadful years for 37s were from mid to late 70s.
 
And how much should one pay for a decent 37?
 
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Ithaca has been sold a few times starting in the 70's. Quality wasn't as good during those years according to some. Ithacas are now made in Ohio. The new 37's I have seen at gun shows look like nice quality. HOwever, an older 60's and before can be had for more of a bargain.

Just remember that an Ithaca 37 is a nice lightweight pumpgun. Lighter weight means your shoulder will notice it a bit more! The trade off is the ability to carry it all day in the woods a little easier.

Find one you like, buy it, and do it justice by shooting it. Don't sweat the decision so much. It doesn't have to be the last gun you ever buy!
 
I just don't want to get ripped off. I see most for $250 plain rib, fixed full choke, decent metal, some scuffs on the stocks.
 
The first one I ever had looked a bit rough. It gave me a winter project to work on. I refinished the wood nicely and added a nice buttstock recoil pad. Cleaned up the metal as best I could and it turned out pretty good. Wish I had never sold it. Take some pictures and post. Get a gunsmith to look at it for you. Cycle some dummy loads through it. Shoot it if possible before buying. $250 isn't bad and you will not have much money in it. You will learn about the 37 and no big loss if you mess it up during the reconditioning process. Solicit help if needed!
 
Are all the stocks on Ithacas from 30s-present day walnut? or did they use cheaper hardwood like birch?
 
I am not a fan of the 70's look in the 37's. To me the pressed checkering just doesn't do anything for it. I would also choose a modified choke if it had to be fixed. My 37 you see in the former pictures was made in 1964. I also owned one made in the 50's that had the corncob forearm. Those are the more traditional looking Ithaca 37's. That is my choice and may not be to your liking. Take your time looking. There are plenty of them out there to choose from in various locations.
 
Yeah I'm in no rush. I have some Mod chokes offers coming my way, just waiting for pics. I kind of want the corncob forend, it's just associated with 'ITHACA'. Either way, would $250 be too much or average for the above shotguns?
 
Okay so meanwhile I'm waiting for offers.. tell me more about the gun, and why it's so good! I have a Mossberg which I love dearly, but I've always wanted an Ithaca. And I just want to try the slam fire too :)
 
I grew up hunting with a model 37. I like the short movement of the forend required to cycle a cartridge compared to the mossberg 500. The featherweights are indeed light and a joy to carry in the woods all day. Depending on what your needs will be I would get a 37 and buy two barrels. One long (28-30") and one short (24-26"). Simply buy the ones you have been offered and then buy a NEW barrel for it with multiple chokes. This has worked out for me with the two model 37's I shoot. BTW, I have one in both 12 and 20 gauge.
 
Does the addition of a polychoke decrease or increase value? Functionality it's probably increased.
 
A Polychoke will decrease the value of the gun, but it will make it more usable. I like Polychokes.

If the S# is over 855,000 you can interchange the barrels with another and then change it back again. Not hard to do. If, however; the gun has a lower number and you want a new barrel they'll do it for you at the factory, but you are stuck with the new barrel. In the old days they put on the Polychoke because of this inability to put on a new tube.

I never buy a shotgun as an investment. I buy them to shoot. If you want the P-choke hang one on there. Oh, you can have one threaded for screw in choke tubes and I had an older 12 gauge Model 37 so fixed. Now it has screw in chokes and I can buy a threaded Polycoke and screw that thing in there too, but I haven't.

You can also shoot steel in one with a cylinder bore choke tube screwed in.

I own a bunch of pump guns, two are Model 37's, a 12 and a 16 and they are my favorite pump guns of them all. However I do not own a 870 or a 31. They are good guns too, but an Ithaca Model 37 is one fine pump shotgun. I like'em better than autos.
 
As a general rule, people prefer the corn cob pump handle over the newer one in 37's. I do. Of course it is a matter of personal choice.
 
The niche for the model 37's is upland hunting since their light weight makes them easy to carry when you'll do more walking than shooting. The bottom eject is also handy so you don't have to search far to reteive empties.

IMO the ideal configuration is 20 gauge with a Mod of I/C choke since the tight patterns of full choke makes for frustrating shooting at shorter ranges. The polychoke is actually very useful since it means instant choke changes if the terrain alters from thick brush to open fields, but many folks find them ugly. Having the barrel threaded for tubes as a more elegant solution but they're a bit slower to change than the polychoke.

I like shorter barrels (22-26") for upland hunting but others will disagree. Short barrels are quicker for snap shooting in the thick stuff but many folks feel a longer barrel smoothes your swing. IMO length is a matter of what and where you hunt plus what you're used to.
 
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