Ithaca m37 Riot converted

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Grendeb

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Quebec
Hi To all,

How much could I ask for an Ithaca M37 converted into a riot gun.
I cut the barrel, sanded all the engraving, cleaned and polished parts as well as paint and bake.
You can find the project with pics on my profile.
I've been wanting one for many years but now I don't have time to shoot it and other projects makes me want to finance something else.

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Has it got a bead sight?
Hard to say but the 37's generally seem to be in the $250-$350 range depending on condition, your handy work probably doesn't add much and I'm sure some would say it detracts.... I'd say it's hard to detract much on a $300 gun!

If it's got a bead sight that is regulated nicely to point of aim $350-$400 might be reasonable.

What kind of paint did you use?
 
Can-down said:
Has it got a bead sight?
Hard to say but the 37's generally seem to be in the $250-$350 range depending on condition, your handy work probably doesn't add much and I'm sure some would say it detracts.... I'd say it's hard to detract much on a $300 gun!

If it's got a bead sight that is regulated nicely to point of aim $350-$400 might be reasonable.

What kind of paint did you use?
Click to expand...

I would agree with the value dropping when you modify a gun. Still would be currious if that's the case since these aren't "collectible" and might be seen as an upgrade to some.

I use engine enamel resistant to heat and baked it at 250°C for an hour.
 
I don't know anything about that paint finish, but if it were parkerized and had a properly installed/centered bead...there is a good chance I'd be PMing you. lol
 
Can-down said:
Has it got a bead sight?
Hard to say but the 37's generally seem to be in the $250-$350 range depending on condition, your handy work probably doesn't add much and I'm sure some would say it detracts.... I'd say it's hard to detract much on a $300 gun!

If it's got a bead sight that is regulated nicely to point of aim $350-$400 might be reasonable.

What kind of paint did you use?
Click to expand...

What length is that barrel? It looks a bit longer than 20 inches measured from the chamber.

Riot guns did not come with bead sights as it creates a dangerous grip hold point where the muzzle can be grabbed and controlled. Exceptions would have been rare and
usually customized personally in that case. You see quite a few pictures with them and they look nice but its a dead giveaway.

At least unlike on the Chinese copies the bead would usually not be at 11 or 1 on ever 10 or 2 o clock. :) :)

A bead sight on a firearm with that purpose and short range is pointless as well. Often mixed up with Trench versions were there is a bead sight on
the heat shield/lug mounting but not on the actual barrel which the mount slips over. With a bayonet somebody grabbing your muzzle is not such a worry. :)

A large part of the value is removed the more it varies from the standard barrel for Riot and Trench shotguns to be cylinder not marked as Full or Skeet and therefore
obviously cut down and customized as such. For Trench repros folks can buy the stamps such as the US Army flaming bomb etc and apply them yourself if you are inclined to which makes up for that
but it is a lot more work and expense. They are about $25 US each.
 
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I've never heard that about bead sights Milanczar, I'd challenge anyone to a tug-a-war with me holding an m37 in a ready position and them holding on to the barrel with a bead sight...... :)

I wasn't thinking about actual riot gun configuration replica with flaming bomb's etc..... more practical use of a shotgun with a nice bead.
Not saying a guy can't make hits with a well fitting gun and no bead, but I'd prefer a barrel with a bead.
 
Grendeb said:
I would agree with the value dropping when you modify a gun. Still would be currious if that's the case since these aren't "collectible" and might be seen as an upgrade to some.

I use engine enamel resistant to heat and baked it at 250°C for an hour.
Click to expand...

Probably not much profit in modifying 37's that's for sure, but a well done unit,Parked or gun-coated a nice color, with nice walnut stocks and a functional bead sight would likely be more attractive to many then the typical bird setup.
 
Can-down said:
I've never heard that about bead sights Milanczar, I'd challenge anyone to a tug-a-war with me holding an m37 in a ready position and them holding on to the barrel with a bead sight...... :)

I wasn't thinking about actual riot gun configuration replica with flaming bomb's etc..... more practical use of a shotgun with a nice bead.
Not saying a guy can't make hits with a well fitting gun and no bead, but I'd prefer a barrel with a bead.
Click to expand...

No I understand where you are coming from. It was also something we were warned about in general with non shotguns back in the late 70s.

We had some guys from Israel around (ironically they left Israel to avoid active service there, it was around the Lebanon invasion) they were very interesting
to hear from based on their crowd/riot tactics although I can say that none of those would be possible here.

Unfortunately situations of those types often do not see rational thought used. The bead is not going to be a factor in any accuracy event for a riot shotgun
unless it is something personally owned so may get general use rather than in service use so I can understand why people would want it.

Its not going to be a big deal or a serious price factor.

Personally that kind of range is one of those things where 'if its like that you should already know it should not be.....'
 
Sorry but it isn't a riot gun. It's a shooter with a short barrel. Any extra value would only be for the actual work done to it.
 
FarmerDanz said:
The short magazine tube really takes away from the "conversion".
Click to expand...

I think the barrel may be too long to make it the mag tube look shorter.

Not sure. I loaned my reference book so I can't look up details.

The M37s are interesting per the catalog however that has some information.

Seems to depend on what exactly is being simulated.

The WWII military marked etc Trench had 20 inch barrels.

Now from the Winchester 1897 conversion details that should be measured not from the front of the receiver for the Winchester.

But again not clear if this is measured differently on the Ithacas

But there were also up to 30 inch military barrels along with regular non heat shield/lug models at 20 inches and those with.

Then.

The M37 law enforcement ones ie riot were from 18 inches above for public sale and less than that was available for service use.

But no specific list of barrel lengths or production distribution.
 
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Plain used 2 3/4" full choke sporting guns don't seem to bring more than $250 these days.
Unless a buyer appreciates and wants the modifications, you would be lucky get that.
 
FarmerDanz said:
The short magazine tube really takes away from the "conversion".
Click to expand...

Long mag tubes cost you a lot of the great handling qualities that Ithaca 37s are known for, not to mention you'd either have to come up with a compatible factory barrel or remove and reattach the lug on the existing one.
 
Grendeb said:
I would agree with the value dropping when you modify a gun. Still would be currious if that's the case since these aren't "collectible" and might be seen as an upgrade to some.

I use engine enamel resistant to heat and baked it at 250°C for an hour.
Click to expand...



The ones that can slam-fire do command a bit of a premium....:yingyang:
 
The only Ithaca law enforcement shotguns that were not equipped with a bead (Military&Police) or rifle type iron sights (Deerslayer Police Special) were the factory Stakeout variants. Only because one was expected to utilize these at maybe 12 yards or less.

Otherwise there was something up front to facilitate aiming.
 
Milanczar said:
What length is that barrel? It looks a bit longer than 20 inches measured from the chamber.

Riot guns did not come with bead sights as it creates a dangerous grip hold point where the muzzle can be grabbed and controlled. Exceptions would have been rare and
usually customized personally in that case. You see quite a few pictures with them and they look nice but its a dead giveaway.

At least unlike on the Chinese copies the bead would usually not be at 11 or 1 on ever 10 or 2 o clock. :) :)

A bead sight on a firearm with that purpose and short range is pointless as well. Often mixed up with Trench versions were there is a bead sight on
the heat shield/lug mounting but not on the actual barrel which the mount slips over. With a bayonet somebody grabbing your muzzle is not such a worry. :)

A large part of the value is removed the more it varies from the standard barrel for Riot and Trench shotguns to be cylinder not marked as Full or Skeet and therefore
obviously cut down and customized as such. For Trench repros folks can buy the stamps such as the US Army flaming bomb etc and apply them yourself if you are inclined to which makes up for that
but it is a lot more work and expense. They are about $25 US each.
Click to expand...

I have Walter Synders book on Ithaca repeating shotguns. Every single riot gun picture has a factory installed bead sir.
 
Really depends on the finish I'd say.

Edit: I'd also say go to more of a gray-black finish similar to a park job, and then a dull refinish on the wood. Problem is it would cost a chunk for one of us folk buying, as a decent host gun will cost you $350 minimum.
 
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Well Sir....I may be interested.
How durable is the finish?
Honestly. I don't even really care if it's not that durable. I have a thing for 37s and model 12s.
I restored repaired and returned to active life a long left for dead model 12 about 2 years ago. I beat it hard. I've been looking for a 37 for a while.
Is the finish on there hard or would a moderate hard rub on a wood edge kind of push it away?
 
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