Ithaca 37 shotguns

[rchall]

What is the value of a pre-war Ithaca model 37 16 gauge shotgun? Gun is approx. 90% overall condition as far as metal and wood go. Checkered round forearm and stock. 26" full choke barrel. Engraved in the standard Ithaca 37 pattern. Very nice shotgun. Any help on this one???

 

[David LaPell]

I have been a collector of Ithaca's for some time now, and I wish they were worth more, but they are not. The pre-war guns had some more options though. Is it a simple round barrel or is it a ribbed barrel, because that makes a difference in the price. The barrel should be 28 inches, the only 26 inch barrels were on the Deerslater which did not start until 1959. I have a Deluxe Deerslayer in 16 gauge which of course has the 26 inch smoothbore barrel and rifle sights. That gun is about 95% and its worth only about $450 tops. Ithaca's are not a rare shotgun unless it is a millitary gun which really does not bring big bucks either compared to say Winchester or Remington. If yours is say a standard grade and the barrel is original (what kind of front sight does it have?) they are about $400 tops. The last one I bought was $325 and it was a late 40's gun. I know where there is one right now for only $275 and the owner cannot give it away. They are a nice gun though and 16 gauge is alot of fun. I have killed a couple of deer with mine including a nice 10 pointer, more grouse than I can count, crow, coyotes, and maybe someday a turkey. If you can find it there is an out of print book called Ithaca 37 The Best Gun Going that has all the details of every Ithaca 37 version ever made. If you give me your serial number I can tell you exactly the year yours was made, a picture will also tell me everything about the gun too. Here is my Deerslayer that I inherited about 10 years ago. It just does everything.

 

[Ironhand]

I found a late 50s 37 with a broken firing pin at a pawn shop in Rapid City SD for $75 back in '98. It had the 30" barrel which I had cut back to 19" and matte-blued. I wish I still had the gun, as it shot great. I even found a repro 1917 heat-shield/bayonet lug to go with it.


Good guns!!

 

[sourdough44]

1st off the SN: on the barrel & receiver should match. You can date the gun with the SN at the Ithaca website. The 16 ga seems to be less common that the 12 & 20, & may command a better price. There is an Ithaca section at shotgunworld.com, in the forums that has a lot of info.

You can also get an idea on prices by checking like offerings on gunbroker. There are dedicated collectors but the Model 37 isn't as flashy as most modern shotguns. That said I do like them.

 

[Texas Star]

A 16-gauge is harder to locate and to find shells for outside of certain "hot spots" in the country, mainly in the South. So, one may sell for less than a 12 or 20.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a 16 unless I got a really cheap deal on a nice one. Others really like the gauge, though.
Same for the 28 gauge.

The M-37 is certainly a classic pump shotgun. I like the location of the slide release, handy to the trigger finger.

Some don't like the bottom loading and ejection. And the guns are light; they kick. I've heard some recoil complaints. That probably kept them off of clay target fields. But hunters often like the M-37. (But presumably, not dove hunters in Argentina, where they may fire many shells in a day.)

 

[2152hq]

If that early a gun, make sure the bbl is matching as they were NOT interchangable yet.
Not till the early '60's did Ithaca intro the interchangeable bbl on the 37. Ser#'s were into the 850,000 range or a bit higher when introduced.
You should be able to find a serial number/yr mgf chart on the net.

You can usually take a bbl from one and lock it on another shotgun in those early ones.
But it's just a chance happening wether the headspace is correct.
Some are down right dangerous to shoot they are so far off.
They had to be fitted at the factory on the early guns.

A pre-war 37 should be ser#'d around 50,000 or below. Not an exact number but that's about the break point for standard model 37's at the start of War production.

I agree even a nice pre-war 37 isn't a highly sought after shotgun. A plain bbl model usually brings about $400 top price in nice condition.
They are certainly one of the better buys in a pump shotgun around IMHO.

 

[feralmerril]

I dont mean to hijack the thread, but I also would like to know what my UNFIRED supream skeet in 20 guage is worth. I bought it in early 1985 on a huge sale and just set it in the safe. It still even has a gold paper sticker on the stock. serial # is 371732214. Thanks

 

[rchall]

Thanks everyone! I may pass on this one as the price seems a little high based on what info. you all have passed on to me. I really like a 16 to hunt with and shells are not a big problem where I live.

 

[msinc]

It is worth more if it has a solid or ventilated rib. The 20ga brings the most followed by the 12 then the 16 just because that gauge is not popular and it's harder to find much variety in ammo these days. Also, if it has the so called "Sunset" recoil pad it will bring more also. So...depending on exactly what this gun has it might not be that bad of a price.