So bare with me this is my first forum post, EVER! (on any website, got to pop that cherry sometime!)
Usually I am pretty good an nailing down prices/value but this one has got me a little stumped.
I have a 1957 Ithaca Featherweight Model 37R 30" barrel 2 3/4 full choke 12 gauge with a raised solid rib on the barrel (have herd the solid raised ribs are worth more?)
That Good:
- Bluing is a bit 80% with no rust or pitting in the worn off parts
- Bore is shiny and clean, no pitting, cracks or bulges
- Shoots and cycles fine and strait
- no cracks in the tang (problem area)
- barrel locks up tight in the receiver
- rest of the gun is tight and smooth
- no monkey work has been done on the gun, screws, barrel lug, castle nut etc. are all in good shape and blued still
The Bad:
- Missing front "Raybar" sight, still has the mount just no plastic piece
- The shooters right hand side beaver tail is broken off the forearm (see pictures).
Purchase History:
There is no sentimental value or family history I purchased this gun from an estate as a package deal along with a 20 gauge for the wife for $300. The 20 gauge is worth ~$200 so I only have ~$100 into the Ithaca.
Gun Facts:
- Being a Pre 1963 you can't interchange barrels without them being custom fitted to the receiver buy a knowledgeable gunsmith for lots of $$ so that is out of the question.
- being a pre 1976/77 it has the second sear so its (safe) slam fire/Pump fire capable if you hold the trigger and cycle
About me:
- I have a full shop and am very capable so most basic to intermediate gunsmithing I can take care of myself
- Left handed shooter so the Ithaca appeals to me (bottom eject). Why I had it thrown in the deal hoping to throw a slug barrel on it for the primitive season but that is out of the questions so ill stick with my left handed bolt rifle for now in the other WMU.
- Live, hunt and play in Grizzly bear land, 2 living (sleeping) within a couple KMs of my home right now
- Don't hunt goose so I have no need for a 30" full choke pump, probably never will, if I ever did probably would look at something 3" shot shell capable so the Ithaca has no real purpose to me.
- Hunt pheasant and grouse a lot but I already have a nice 12G O/U
Bottom Line:
- What's it worth as is?
- What's it worth if I fix up the wood work (myself, good job) on the forearm to be more of a corncob style and better to hold (over a broken beaver tail) and put a new bead on it
- What's it worth if I get a original replacement forearm (about $50 if you can find them) and a new "Raybar" sight (Ithaca sells for $10)?
- Is there any collector value in it? (I know there are a lot of old Ithaca's out there priced all over the board)
What to do with it if the gun does not have much value (< $300) or collector value? any ideas?
Where I live and what I do I was thinking about cutting the barrel down to a usable length say 20" clean up the wood, rebead and use it for a:
- truck gun for those dirt road grouse
- bear defence (you can argue to use a 3" or 3 1/2" slug over a 2 3/4" but I would rather have less recoil and a chance to to slam fire a second then have a sore shoulder and get eaten for dinner. Its all hope and wind anyways being smart about bears is the only real way to stay alive, the gun just helps the nerves and gives you a %10 fighting chance)
- Loaner gun for pheasant and our backwood skeet shooting. Yes this would be difficult with a cylinder bore but if you are quick on the draw its a lot better then throwing rocks!
- Survival gun / carry gun for when I'm in the woods (a lot), nice and light easy to point and don't care if it gets marked up
I like and respect guns and history so I would rather send it out the door to a collector or someone who would use and appreciate it before I decimate it.
However if there is no collector value or $$ value I will hack it down to suit my needs and the gun will have a purpose / new life. I am a firm believe if you own something it should have a use if not send it on to someone who does and keep life uncluttered.
So what's it worth and what should I do???
No I am not going to tacticool it with a Zombie finding laser etc. so that is out of the question!
I am open to all real options beside tacticool and modifying it into an original trench gun style Ithaca (no purpose and cost money)
Long post but I wanted it all out there, so please lend you lend your knowledge!
Any questions I will be happy to answer, the gun currently is not for sale (but could be) so don't try and tell me its only worth $150 and buy it when its actually worth more, I'm not an idiot, at least most of the time
Thanks
Jokemo
(CGN if I have broken any forum rules I will claim ignorance and please instruct me on the proper ways)
Usually I am pretty good an nailing down prices/value but this one has got me a little stumped.
I have a 1957 Ithaca Featherweight Model 37R 30" barrel 2 3/4 full choke 12 gauge with a raised solid rib on the barrel (have herd the solid raised ribs are worth more?)
That Good:
- Bluing is a bit 80% with no rust or pitting in the worn off parts
- Bore is shiny and clean, no pitting, cracks or bulges
- Shoots and cycles fine and strait
- no cracks in the tang (problem area)
- barrel locks up tight in the receiver
- rest of the gun is tight and smooth
- no monkey work has been done on the gun, screws, barrel lug, castle nut etc. are all in good shape and blued still
The Bad:
- Missing front "Raybar" sight, still has the mount just no plastic piece
- The shooters right hand side beaver tail is broken off the forearm (see pictures).
Purchase History:
There is no sentimental value or family history I purchased this gun from an estate as a package deal along with a 20 gauge for the wife for $300. The 20 gauge is worth ~$200 so I only have ~$100 into the Ithaca.
Gun Facts:
- Being a Pre 1963 you can't interchange barrels without them being custom fitted to the receiver buy a knowledgeable gunsmith for lots of $$ so that is out of the question.
- being a pre 1976/77 it has the second sear so its (safe) slam fire/Pump fire capable if you hold the trigger and cycle
About me:
- I have a full shop and am very capable so most basic to intermediate gunsmithing I can take care of myself
- Left handed shooter so the Ithaca appeals to me (bottom eject). Why I had it thrown in the deal hoping to throw a slug barrel on it for the primitive season but that is out of the questions so ill stick with my left handed bolt rifle for now in the other WMU.
- Live, hunt and play in Grizzly bear land, 2 living (sleeping) within a couple KMs of my home right now
- Don't hunt goose so I have no need for a 30" full choke pump, probably never will, if I ever did probably would look at something 3" shot shell capable so the Ithaca has no real purpose to me.
- Hunt pheasant and grouse a lot but I already have a nice 12G O/U
Bottom Line:
- What's it worth as is?
- What's it worth if I fix up the wood work (myself, good job) on the forearm to be more of a corncob style and better to hold (over a broken beaver tail) and put a new bead on it
- What's it worth if I get a original replacement forearm (about $50 if you can find them) and a new "Raybar" sight (Ithaca sells for $10)?
- Is there any collector value in it? (I know there are a lot of old Ithaca's out there priced all over the board)
What to do with it if the gun does not have much value (< $300) or collector value? any ideas?
Where I live and what I do I was thinking about cutting the barrel down to a usable length say 20" clean up the wood, rebead and use it for a:
- truck gun for those dirt road grouse
- bear defence (you can argue to use a 3" or 3 1/2" slug over a 2 3/4" but I would rather have less recoil and a chance to to slam fire a second then have a sore shoulder and get eaten for dinner. Its all hope and wind anyways being smart about bears is the only real way to stay alive, the gun just helps the nerves and gives you a %10 fighting chance)
- Loaner gun for pheasant and our backwood skeet shooting. Yes this would be difficult with a cylinder bore but if you are quick on the draw its a lot better then throwing rocks!
- Survival gun / carry gun for when I'm in the woods (a lot), nice and light easy to point and don't care if it gets marked up
I like and respect guns and history so I would rather send it out the door to a collector or someone who would use and appreciate it before I decimate it.
However if there is no collector value or $$ value I will hack it down to suit my needs and the gun will have a purpose / new life. I am a firm believe if you own something it should have a use if not send it on to someone who does and keep life uncluttered.
So what's it worth and what should I do???
No I am not going to tacticool it with a Zombie finding laser etc. so that is out of the question!
I am open to all real options beside tacticool and modifying it into an original trench gun style Ithaca (no purpose and cost money)
Long post but I wanted it all out there, so please lend you lend your knowledge!
Any questions I will be happy to answer, the gun currently is not for sale (but could be) so don't try and tell me its only worth $150 and buy it when its actually worth more, I'm not an idiot, at least most of the time
Thanks
Jokemo
(CGN if I have broken any forum rules I will claim ignorance and please instruct me on the proper ways)
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