A guy with 870 blinders on inherits a 1941, 16ga. Ithaca 37 yesterday **UPDATE**

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Ever since I joined CGN, threads about people finding guns...being given guns...inheriting guns...seem fairly common. Always felt a little dose of jealousy as I'd thought (in my tiny family) I knew everyone who had hunted, had an interest in guns...and thought a phone call/email like that isn't likely to ever come my way. I had inherited a few guns from my grandfather's collection almost 30 years ago, which I'm grateful for...but I'd assumed that was the one, and only time that would ever happen. I feel fortunate I was given that chance too. Last week, I get an email from my mom's cousin asking if I'd be interested in "dad's old shotgun" The message read; "I think it's an Ithica 18 or 16 ga.". Naturally, I said I'd be honored...and drove down to the city to pick it up last night. Serial# indicates it was made in 1941. MOD choke~perfect for me!

I have to admit..I was never overly fond of the lines on these guns, on other pumps like the Browning BPS (that never seemed to shoulder right for me) but I was literally amazed at how light this gun is, how natural it seems to point, and how buttery-smooth AND tight the action was once it got some much-needed oil applied. No cracks/repairs in the wood, probably around 70% of it's original bluing remaining..no shortage of scratches though. It certainly wasn't babied, but my guess is it was carried/hunted allot more than it was actually shot. I don't think I feel a shred of temptation to refinish it, just clean it up...and take it shooting.

As a die-hard Remington guy...I'm in new territory here, and thrilled to own my great uncle's gun. I'd love to hear from the Ithaca lovers on CGN, maybe tell me a bit more about the gun I've inherited. Anything I should know? Cleaning regiment? Haven't even had the chance to poke through any YouTube videos about it yet. I did call my local shop, and they have plenty of shells. Have to dig a little deeper into the wallet than I do for my 12 or 20ga. guns...but I'm not complaining.

Cheers, and thanks for taking a moment to respond.



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You might be able to slam fire it. Hold the trigger down and pump, it may fire without moving the trigger again.

They are good guns. I until recently had a 12g that belonged to my great uncle, I gave it back to his son as it belongs with him. They are, as you say, significantly lighter then an 870. I;d like to acquire another one with an improved choke in it and a shorter barrel 24" or so as a grouse gun.
 
Never owned a Ithaca 37. From what i understand they are to the Browning BPS, what a Wingmaster is to a Express.

John Browning sold a lot of his patents to Winchester, Remington, Ithaca, and others. Recent shortcuts and offshore manufacturing have seen some of those iconic guns loose their sole and craftsmanship.

No single gun is more associated with 16 ga than the Model 37. Congratulations and enjoy it in the field were it is meant to be.
 
hey you got a very good gun enjoy it hunt with it and pass it down to your son one day ,,,the 37 make a super upland bunny gun and I have shot my share of deer with them in 16g slugs .I have always had a thing for the 16g congrats ,,Dutch
 
There's bit more to an Ithaca 37 than the ability to slam fire. LOL! The Win M12, Ithaca M37 and the Rem M31 represent the pinnacle of American pump guns. I just sold a early 1970's 12 gauge but if I was you, that gun is a keeper. In fact, it's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for along with a Rem M31 in 16 gauge. Already have the M12 in 16.

You done good!

If you want to learn more, go to the 16Gauge Society forums.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Inheriting a gun that jives with my hunting interests (grouse) is such a bonus. I'm thrilled with it. Again..feels SO natural to hoist/point too...I'm quite surprised actually. I'm sure my 870s will get a little jealous come grouse opener...but I think this will be so much nicer to carry long distances. And yes...my almost 14 year old daughter (who had her FSC and hunter's ed course within weeks of being legal age) has her eye on this gun~I can assure you. She cycled it a few times last night and said "Ok...when can we shoot this thing?"

Might start with some clays this weekend at a friend's farm.
 
Welcome to appreciation of Ithaca Featherlight shotguns.

Myself I own seven of them. But my favorite upland gun for all day carry is a 1971 manufactured 20 gauge.
These shotguns generally run about a full pound lighter then the average 870 of equal barrel length and configuration.
A WWII era Ithaca, 28 inch barrel with a modified choke is the quintessential American shotgun.
That 16 you have is one fine piece and a very nice family heirloom!

You are very lucky he got one at all in 16 gauge in 1941. During this very exciting wartime period, 12 gauges (any 12 gauge pump action) were highly sought out by the American military procurement circles. The Royal Navy also purchased these to for Royal Marines for boarding parties/raids. Any remaining new M37s would have sold out very quickly due to shortages, on either side of the 49th parallel. I have seen only personally one other 1940 made M37 and it to was in a sub gauge, a 20 gauge.

^Truth!^

Also there is a vague and passing mention of US government wartime purchase of 16 gauges, that goes pretty much unexplained in Walter Snyder's book on Ithaca repeaters. Is this some kind of OSS acquisition for European resistance fighters??

^maybe or maybe not^
 
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blasted_saber said:
No idea. Shooting pumpkins?

I just know that some Ithacas have the ability to do it.

I suppose in the prohibition days the FBI would find it useful for clearing out rooms full of whiskey runners.
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Nice old shotguns either way. My 1st 12ga was an Ithaca. New one cost me $175 with taxes and gun case in 1975. Worked all summer in a sawmill to get it.
 
I should really add though, to completely tear down this shotgun involves taking off the butt stock to access the trigger group, then bolt carrier and bolt to follow lastly. The magazine tube with it's spring and plug, is easy enough to clean via the front cap. I would leave this complete tear down to once in the beginning of the season and just once afterwards. That's of course barring any emergency such as this shotgun totally immersed in water. Or heavy and frequent shooting use, such as in trap/skeet/clays.

But in actual fact this degree of cleaning access is rarely needed with regular ammunition and upland hunting only.

In between, wipe down externally with a oily rag with the barrel dismounted for this routine post hunting trip regular cleaning, a little bit of spray oil and a cleaning cloth taken to the bolt face and the receiver in this immediate area, to get at any moisture or carbon buildup. While it is turned over make sure the shell stop in working and free of any dirt and grime.
I have yet to meet an M37/M87 Ithaca that would not loosen the action screw with heavy shooting use. (Year after year of small game or frequent enough slug shooting) So maybe a bit of blue locktite is needed here. Just a little bit on the threads only goes a long way friend.

Make sure you get any twigs, leaves or debris away of the action bar and magazine. That's it, that's all.
 
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it was my understanding they took the slam fire feature out after 1975 I believe that was the last year it had that feature.

I am the buyer of canvasbacks ithaca 37. it's great! I really love it! it's a lot of fun to shoot and I like that it's different from all the 500/ 870 floating around. bottom eject is neat too!
 
Lee Marvin made good use of the "slam fire" feature ( Win Mod 97) in the movie "The Professionals" I see no practical sporting use for it nor would I call it a desirable feature. Having said that, to each his or her own.

Darryl
 
nowarningshot said:
Never owned a Ithaca 37. From what i understand they are to the Browning BPS, what a Wingmaster is to a Express.

John Browning sold a lot of his patents to Winchester, Remington, Ithaca, and others. Recent shortcuts and offshore manufacturing have seen some of those iconic guns loose their sole and craftsmanship.

No single gun is more associated with 16 ga than the Model 37. Congratulations and enjoy it in the field were it is meant to be.
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Not sure where your got that info but they are not in an express catagory when compared to any pump shotgun out there especially a BPS
They are a quality shotgun and have never lost their sole as you say or definately not lost their craftsmanship even to today which is why new ones are like 1000 bucks
As good today and with modern machining methods even better than they ever were
I also have a batch of bps, wingmasters and express to compare
Cheers
 
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SuperCub said:
What do you use "slam fire" for?
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I hear you :)

To the Op congrats they are a fine shotgun and nice to carry upland. The 16ga is quite light and will give you a good wack but not uncomfortable
I have had them for years and now after buying one in 28ga have a complete set
The old corn cob style is my favorite
They are sweet good working guns, built to last a lifetime if maintained properly and well worth keeping
Cheers
 
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