Rare Ithaca M37

First shotgun I ever fired was my dad's 12-gauge 37, back in about 1970, fixed mod choke, slam-fire capable. It's still in my gun safe now; took my first duck, first grouse, first goose with it back in the day. No longer hunt with it but I like taking it out once in awhile and shooting some hand-thrown clays behind the house. :)

It wears a replacement stock now, after the original went for re-finishing to the house of a "friend" and somehow failed to return. This gun is soooooo smooth to operate it's almost scary. My expert friends who know how to measure gunstocks for a custom fit tell me it's horrible for me. I tell them that's okay, it doesn't need to fit me...after a half-century-plus of use, I fit it... :)
 
The M37 has an artless shape; stupid, cartoonish roll-imprinted fake receiver 'engraving'; it makes noises that no fine gun should make; and wood-to-metal fit is approximate at best. And yet... in the hands, it is near perfect. I think the M37 is a fabulous gun (best in 16 gauge, in my opinion), and mine felt like it was a part of me. It never failed me; it was utterly dependable. As pointed out, it is ridiculously undervalued on the Canadian market. There is no better pump gun, quality-wise (though the Winchester Model 12 and Remington Model 31 are closest). I can't abide a gun that is cheapened or 'improved' to make more money for company shareholders, I prefer the guns that were properly machined and built to last. Whatever tiny visual flaws the M37 has, I can easily overlook them.

I will always be a M37 fan. SuperCub, Dump Shoot, nice guns you have there!
 
Switzer's auction results - both 12g guns, plain barrels, very good condition, nothing special. One went for $325, the other $350. Whoever bought them will be happy, even after GST and buyer's premium.
 
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barbarossa said:
This is the version I always wanted but never got around to buying the ultra English in 20gaView attachment 1126773
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Yup, that's the one I had, what a light and sweet, handy gun! - but couldn't hit much with it. I sold it to my postmistress at a loss as a gift for her husband and son who were just getting into hunting. All of them were very pleased, I made an ally, and sending or receiving guns through our local post office has never been a problem in any way since then. She even cheers for me now when I receive a certain size and weight, long package in the mail!
 
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