rare Model37?

[matt311]

ok well iv done alittle more research on my Ithaca Model 37 .. and apparently it an old WWII Riot gun. All the serial numbers match barrel, reciver, stock. it has the US printed on the side of the reciever and th letter "p" on both the barrel and the reciever. also has a little side ways bomb or octpuss looking thing on the barrel. aparetly these are all good signs of the real deal. the gun it self if in fairly good condition.. the stock is alittle worn out, wobbley, small cracks.. but thats really about all thats wrong with this gun.
what I would like to know is alittle history on this gun.. how many were made?.. is it really that rare?... how much is something like this worth? .. ect... any info would be nice.

thanks in advance!

 

[brentwal]

It's worthless, send it to me!



NEVER sell that gun, not only is it a piece of history, it's (M37) the finest SG ever.

 

[Scoupe]

Fairly unusual, but not truly "rare". If it's original and not monkeyed with, it's worth at least three times the going price for a non-government marked one.

I believe there are a couple variations. Early in WWII they were getting small arms anywhere they could and there are examples of martially marked M37s with the standard roll engraving pattern of the field guns.

The bomb thing you mention is indeed a "flaming bomb" which almost always indicates you've got the real deal - at leat in the part that has the flaming bomb mark.

You might try posting up about it in the military shotgun area over at www.jouster.com There are some true experts (Bruce Canfield for one) that watch that form. Be advised that you will be asked to provide excrutiating detail and pictures, and it seems that someone always is stirring up controversy on these things, but you'll get the info you're looking for.

 

[matt311]

iv been posting over at jouster.com like you said and aparently it is a rare gun. Big Larry wo seems to know is stuff says its a very rare gun. im looking in to it further to see just how rare it might be.

 

[Scoupe]

Yeah, I took a minute to look over there. Much more "rare" than I remember! Probably the mis-matched stock serial will keep it out of that $4000 range, but looks like you got a real honey of a shotgun! Take good care of it and enjoy it!

 

[matt311]

well.. iv done some thinking and now that i know that it a collector gun and shouldnt really be shot .. im going to go ahead and sell it. i need a gun that can be used in the woods .. if you know anyone that might be intrested let me know.

edit:

and the shotgun i get will definalty be an Ithaca M37 .. just something alittle newer and not a collectors item.

 

[Scoupe]

That gun would sell on Jouster in a heartbeat. Problem is what to ask for it? Probably worth a professional appraisal before you end up selling it too cheap. Bet you'll be able to pick up an M37 in 12 and one in 20 plus pay for a nice hunting trip with what you'll get for the riot gun.

Man, what probelm to have!