some questions about an old ithaca model 37

[boywellesley]

My uncle lend me an old Ithaca model 37 pump shotgun to use for the local range's trap club until i get my own. From what i have been able to find it was built in 1946 and i believe it is a standard model. Is has a weaver choke. The main i'm wondering is if it has any collectors value do to its age and if so should i shoot it or just hold on to it until next time i see my uncle. Overall it is in pretty good shape considering its age, some of the bluing is wore off in the usual areas and there is the slightest bit of surface rust in those spots. A piece of stock was cut down for a younger person to use at one point, but was then later put back on. Also does anyone know what the purpose of the little round bar with a flat side that has a detent in it that goes through the magazine end cap.

 

[kamlooky]

Burn powder and lots of it.
That is what they were made for.
Don't forget to clean her up when your done.

Photos me lad..........photos.

 

[Mike Webb]

Like Kamlooky says, shoot it. An Ithaca 37 in the condition you describe has value as a hunting gun, nothing else. The addition of the Weaver choke kills any collector value it may have even if in mint condition.

 

[9.3mauser]

. Also does anyone know what the purpose of the little round bar with a flat side that has a detent in it that goes through the magazine end cap.

Thats for loosening the magazine cap so you can remove the barrel. It screws in a couple of turns, and the barrel rotates 90 degrees. No real collectors value even if it was all original, and yours has been altered a couple of times already, so shoot away.