Simmons refitted Ithaca 37

[Milkmaster]

I thought I might share some progress I am making on refitting an Ithaca 37 (circa 1963)to my needs. I bought this model 37 a few months ago from a nice THR member. This was a nostalgic move on my part to replace a model 37 I have regretted selling for 30 years now. The gun arrived and revealed some perks and problems I had not expected. Now it has become my winter project gun. A little research on markings found on the shotgun revealed that this 37 was sent to Simmons Gun Works in Kansas City back in the early sixties when it was new. Simmons installed a package on it that included a nice rib, bead blasted the top of the receiver, changed the wood and set it up for a LOP that suited someone smaller (possibly a lady who's initials were on the gun). Long story short, the LOP was shortened enough that it was a problem for me. Ithaca helped out by selling me a new Monte Carlo stock with the standard 14.25" LOP which is just fine for me. The only problem I have now is asthetic only. The new wood stock doesn't match with the forearm. I want to keep the style forearm on the gun and Ithaca does not make this forearm now. I can't decide if I should try and make the forearm match the stock or the other way around. What say you based on the pictures?

 

[DaleCooper51]

I know you purchased a new stock, but if you really want them to match, put the old stock back on and get a few spacers to adjust the LOP so it fits.

If you want to keep the new stock, I would strip, stain and refinish both of them with an hand rubbed oil finish. I think that will be the only way to get both pieces pretty close.

Very nice looking gun by the way.

 

[Milkmaster]

Thanks DaleCooper on the compliment. I took it apart when I got it and found very little wear inside and everything was top notch for a gun that old. Adding a spacer in the stock was my first thought, but the spacer would have been 1.5" thick between the recoil pad and the wood. In my opinion that would have looked worse than changing the stock. Another advantage I got with the new stock was the Monte Carlo option which I adore greatly and is a better fit for my needs. You may be right that I have to redo both pieces to make them similar. I kind of like the redish color of the old wood better anyhow. I could buy the new forearm to match the new stock. It would be shorter and look more like the corn cob style though. When I am finished, I will probably offer the shorter stock for someone who needs it for a youth or lady.

 

[Virginian]

I like the style forearm you have, and I don't see why you couldn't refinish it to match the stock.

 

[AndyJ]

MM,

I am beginning to enjoy the M37's a great deal. I drink the 870 Kool Aid but when you look at the way a 37 is put together vs. the 870 you just gotta shake your head. I have an old Featherlight I am working on as well; it is a horrible basket case compared to your beauty.

 

[Speedo66]

Sorry I put you through all that trouble with the stock.

I had no idea Simmons had changed the wood.

The forearm, in my opinion, has a rich vintage color, finish, and look. If you think you could get the stock to match, go for it.

Nice gun by the way.

 

[oneounceload]

How about stripping them both and refinishing them so they look the same?

 

[Milkmaster]

Reread the original posted information. This is an update...I bit the bullet and started stripping the old forearm today. My decision was based on the easiest path to take on the project. If it doesn't work out to match the new stock very well, I can always strip the new stock as well. The forearm may match better than I expected. The picture shows the old stock color on top. The forearm matched that color until today. I stripped it well and left it over the heat vent for a few hours to dry out. I am hopeful that a clear coat of satin polyurethane will bring a close match to the new stock at the bottom. What do you say? Think it will still be too dark to match the stock? A second effort would be to bleach the forearm a little to lighten it more.

 

[twice barrel]

I think you're right. No guarantee that the original buttstock and forearm were from the same piece of wood either.

Nice looking gun,

TB

 

[Speedo66]

How about trying the new finish on the inside of the forearm.

If it matches, do the rest. Otherwise try and lighten it.

 

[Milkmaster]

Reread the original posted information. This is an update...

Here is the finished project. The wood on the forearm is not an exact match after me refinishing it, but at least it has the same basic color tone as the new stock. Overall I am pleased, and I am looking forward to trying it out. Not too bad for a 46 year old gun.

 

[nicksterdemus]

Dang if it don't look fancy compared to my '48 model. I remember craving a ventilated rib as a younger man. Definitely helps the gun stand out from the crowd.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Nice. How does it shoot for you?

Silly question, 37s are awesome....

 

[Milkmaster]

Nice. How does it shoot for you?

The recoil was a bit "crisp" as are most 37's Dave, but it isn't as bad as I remember it when I weighed nearly 100 pounds less years ago. I weighed it last night with a crude scale. It is only 6 ozs lighter than my BPS with a 28" barrel. Maybe it is the added weight of the rib and 30" barrel length. I know it "feels" lighter to my hands. I want to get it out along with my 870 for comparisons this week if weather allows. Shooting the same loads side by side ought to tell me something. I am looking forward to getting 2 mercury recoil reducers in it to see what effect it has. The added weight might help or may be too much.

I usually make a wintertime project out of something to give to the local school trap teams. I don't think I will be giving this one away this year. It replaces an old 37 I have regretted selling years ago. I have also enjoyed being able to trace some history with this one.

Thanks for the compliment and Happy New Year!

 

[Dave McCracken]

You're welcome and Happy new Year back.

37s are seldom seen on the range. That's because most folks like shotguns more easily ID'd as open than the 37's bottom feed/eject allows.

And the lighter weight has a downside of increased perceived recoil as you note.


Where it shines is in the field. Carries like a smallbore, and when the adrenaline is up like at a flush, the kick is unnoticed.

JMB designed the 93 and 97 Winchesters as all around shotguns, the 11/A-5 as a waterfowler, and the Remington 17 as an upland gun. The 37 is the same design as the 17.

I doubt my life would have been much different if Pop had given me a 37 fifty years ago instead of an 870.

They are sweet shotguns.

Maybe I oughta do a 37 thread like I did the Winchester 50/59,etc....