Ithaca 37 experts?

S

Stray03

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
I picked up a model 37 that was pretty beat up that dates back to '49, The thing that I find strange is that there is a 3 digit number stamped into the bottom of the receiver just behind the mag tube. The gun was rather crappily refinished, parkerized, sported a redhead brand buttpad, and had a winchester choke system (versalite full) and a sight badly soldered onto the barrel. I have a hard time believing that these mods were done by a gunsmith, as I have only ever seen 1 person who called himself a gunsmith do such a horrible job to a gun. So I guess getting back to my question can the 3 digit number be a gov't or police marking? It's the first ithaca I've ever seen with it. Originally the barrel was a modified choke.

Thanks.
 
No ithaca expert and a pic would be nice . What makes you think it dates back to 49??
If the three digits are indeed it's serial number it is a 1st year 1937 run ithaca and if it was mint and original which is sure doesn't sound a $1000 gun.
Not military or police from your description other than the Vietnam trench guns were parkerized with non standard production numbers but their lowest number was 4 digit with a P on the top of the barrel and receiver plus US on the side of the receiver with other mods none of which you mention . WW2 were regular run serial numbers 58,000-62,000
From what you describe it is indeed someone's home or shop modified creation
Vietnam trench receiver
37.jpg
 
The 3 digit number has nothing to do with the serial, and the engraving is still on the sides of the gun. The serial number places it in 49 according to the list you can look up. the only other marking other than the standard is those 3 numbers under the receiver. I'll get pics when I get my camera out. It looks like someone took the gun and modified it to their own franken-gun, The only thing I commend them on is they didn't cut the stock. I bought this gun knowing sort of how the condition was, and figured I'd use it to make a "trench gun" since collectors value is gone, and I like that model of the 37. Definitely a winter project gun.
 
Stray03 said:
The 3 digit number has nothing to do with the serial, and the engraving is still on the sides of the gun. The serial number places it in 49 according to the list you can look up. the only other marking other than the standard is those 3 numbers under the receiver. I'll get pics when I get my camera out. It looks like someone took the gun and modified it to their own franken-gun, The only thing I commend them on is they didn't cut the stock. I bought this gun knowing sort of how the condition was, and figured I'd use it to make a "trench gun" since collectors value is gone, and I like that model of the 37. Definitely a winter project gun.
Click to expand...

Well again hard without pics for someone to nail down, good news I guess is someone didnot destroy a 1st year 37 gun.
She is perfect for what you have planned for it. Enjoy it
 
I have no clue in the stamping other than it was done by hand perhaps others may know.
The pad is an after market item that came out in your style in 1937 and was common all through the 40's and early 50's. If the gun is a late 40's as you say and factory fitted with a pad it would have been an Ithaca "sunburst" they called them
ITHACA-3.jpg
 
Man, that's tragic.

The reformed Ithaca company does rebuilds. If you're interested, they might be willing to put that old lady back into proper trim. Alternately, there's this fellow:

w w w .diamondgunsmithing.com/index.html

If you'd rather not send this beaten wife of a gun out for service, he might at the very least have some ideas about that mystery number.

Myself, I think it's some kind of rack number. Maybe an ex-police gun? How long is that poor, buggered up barrel?
 
The barrel without the adaptor looks to have been about 22 inches. OAL is 23.5 and the length of choke that threads into the barrel is 1.5. The barrel inside is spotless outside looks like it has some pitting and file marks as if they attempted some crappy finishing and then was parkerized. Luckily it doesn't look like they tried to do anything other than exterior work, so apart from the top extractor (which is broken, and wasn't mentioned when I bought it online) it looks like nothing has to be replaced.
 
Stray03 said:
The barrel without the adaptor looks to have been about 22 inches. OAL is 23.5 and the length of choke that threads into the barrel is 1.5. The barrel inside is spotless outside looks like it has some pitting and file marks as if they attempted some crappy finishing and then was parkerized. Luckily it doesn't look like they tried to do anything other than exterior work, so apart from the top extractor (which is broken, and wasn't mentioned when I bought it online) it looks like nothing has to be replaced.
Click to expand...

Definately a creation by someone not that it will effect how it will work for you. 20" fixed was the commom police, forces etc I think dan is bang on with the number.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom