Want to find out about about a Winchester Model 37, 12 guage.

[LESAJCRA]

I found a Winchester Model 37 12 guage. Barrel reads: WINCHESTER MODEL 37/Steel Bilt/12 guage WINCHESTER TRADEMARK CHOKE. Could someone please tell me a little about it. Not too knowledgeable, has a hammer. Thanks

 

[JohnBT]

They were made from '36 to '63 and came in all 5 standard gauges. IIRC there were just over a million made total.

They are quality guns, although most of them don't bring a very high price due to the number of them floating around. A 28 ga. will bring a couple thouand I suppose, but they are rare. The .410 in 100% might bring $400.

A 12 ga. in 100% condition brings, the last time I looked, around $300. Or a little more if the barrel is 32".

I don't actually own one, but my uncle has a small collection and my father has a nice .410.

John

 

[Jim K]

Note that 100% condition, though. Most of those guns were well used and average value for a 12 gauge is $100-150.

Jim

 

[Harley Quinn]

Funny as many 37's that I have handled, all been the Ithaca's. I liked it and still do.

HQ

 

[Jim K]

The Ithaca Model 37 is a pump shotgun; the Winchester Model 37 is a single barrel break open shotgun.

Jim

 

[LESAJCRA]

Would you happen to know the value. This one is in pretty good shape and has the 32" barrel. A wall hanger, correct?

 

[Harley Quinn]

If it is a single break-open, I was not into the single shot shotguns much.

Not going to bring much, first you have to find someone who wants it...
A good spot to find out the value is a gun selling location and they are going to give you a value based on condition.

So with that in mind there is the place to start. With that long barrel it was a specialty shooter for long range, more then likly ducks/geese.

It can be used but not for much, I would say. Does it mention the choke? Full ?
Having it on a wall is ok, problem there, is it will be stolen. Sad but true.

Relegated to a safe or sell.

When you say you found it are you looking to buy?

If that is the case you want to buy as low as they will go if selling try to get as much as you can.

Good luck,
HQ

 

[Jim K]

Shotguns with 30"-32" or longer barrels were sold as "goose guns", the idea being that the longer barrel would let the shooter "reach out and touch" high flying geese. They usually also had full choke bores for the same reason. I was always skeptical about the idea.

I once got in trouble with my boss when a man came in with a 28" barrel pump gun and wanted to know what a 30" would do for him when duck hunting. I told the guy the 30" would put the end of his barrel two inches closer to the duck. He got ticked and left, and I caught heck for losing the sale.

That Model 37 was made for that purpose and still would be fine for it. With the barrel shortened, and a choke added, it could make a good shotgun for upland game or defense.

Jim

 

[Dave McCracken]

Arguably, the Winchester 37 was the best of the utility grade single shots. Steel receiver instead of iron and a decent trigger. As with higher grade Winchester shotguns, when they said Full Choke that's what they meant. Most run close to 40 POC, rather too tight for modern ammo.

Many of these have been converted by card shooters into turkey shoot guns.

I think the prices now are out of line, but the market rules......