A special Ithaca 37

[squawberryman]

One of my Sunday school students lost his wife last year and today I visited him on behalf of the church to give him something and have a conversation. A few years back when I met him and his wife (whole class I mean) I let people know early on I was a staunch supporter of the second amendment, IE gun nut. We visited with Ralph and Dianne one day after joining the class. As he is getting older and didn't hunt anymore he showed me the guns he still had. A while back I put up a picture of his 94 in 32WCF. He had a Remington pump 30-06 that killed a mess of deer and none of his relatives wanted. Then he showed me the 37 Police Special and I lit up. A 37 Feathgerlight is my dove de' rigueur, well back when I shot dove. I can't shoot my A5's worth a hoot and the 37 just works, story for another day. When we left the house that day I said "Make sure you put some oil on that gun", meaning the all but mostly the 37. Any time after that I'd say "Put some oil on my gun!" Today was kind of a tough day as I visited him partly because his wife had passed away and the church had a gift for him in her honor, for me to present. After about twenty minutes he said "I'm gonna give you that gun" and I told him we'd talk about it another day as I really didn't want to discuss it today under the circumstances. As I was leaving he said "Are you gonna take this gun?" to which I said I'd be honored. It's the only one I've ever seen and it's beautiful. It's in the gun room under the 37 riot slam fire. The fiber front sight is replaceable by pushing down the button in front of the sight and sliding it forward for removal. Waaaaaay cool. I just went on the web and it claims this one too is a slam fire, I'll find out tonight.

[crash86]

Ithaca 37's Close to my heart those are. Its what I used as my first larger gauge after my 410. I picked up a 12 ga, beavertail forend, when I was 18, my 3rd, maybe 4th firearm, 28" vent rib mod. Then added a 26" deerslayer to it, still have it. Also found and bought many years ago a riot like the one you have pictured. The story was our sheriff wanted it, ordered it, and then when he saw it, not flashy enough, stuck the dealer with it and ordered a gussied up 870. His loss not mine.
Slam Fire? If your referring to keeping the trigger pressed and pumping the shells in the chamber allowing them to fire on lock up. I'm thinking, unless they changed it later on, 80's maybe, (I also believe they changed the model number to 87, not sure, its been a while) They all had that capability. I say this because the shotgun I used as a teenager was my mother's 16 gauge, My dad bought it for her in the 50's, maybe early 60's, and you could slam fire that one. Still have 'em all too. Damned shame the Company is no more. Nice acquisition, my condolences to your student also. crash86

[bula]

I bought a M37 Deluxe 28" mod barrel and a 26" Deerslayer barrel with my trapping money when I was 15 0r 16. Mom did the paperwork. I've a couple older, plainer ones here for anti-grouse use. 

[revolvercranker]

I don't have an Ithaca pump, but I do have a Browning BPS 20 gauge with short 21 inche barrel and straigh English stock. I love it.

[bigbrowndog]

37’s are neat guns. To me they are the Classic deer slug gun, rifled or smoothbore. Congrats on the new gun and God Speed, God Bless for your friend’s wife

Trapr

[squawberryman]

If I could afford one of the 28 gauge guns I'd buy it.

[jwheeler331]

Very nice.

[woody]

Very nice gun. When I was a kid the Ithaca Deerslayer followed closely by the Remington 1100 was the gun to have for deer. Most preferred a 16 but I’ve had a few 12’s just like yours. I’ve owed a pile of 37’s. Still have a few but getting harder to find. They used to be all over my area. I’m close to Ithaca. The Raybar sights are cool. I have several spares. They came in different colors.

[squawberryman]

Ithaca doesn't have any, I was looking to replace it.

[woody]

Dec 21, 2023 18:23:15 GMT -5 squawberryman said:

Ithaca doesn't have any, I was looking to replace it.

Want a black one?

[squawberryman]

Very generous sir, I'll pm you

[woody]

Dec 24, 2023 6:57:29 GMT -5 squawberryman said:

Very generous sir, I'll pm you

I will get one out this week. I have quite a few Ithaca parts. I was fortunate to get them when a local shop closed. I know a few Ithaca collectors also that come across stuff since they are close to Ithaca.

[kelye]

Hi Woody, I have a model 37 20 gauge skeet gun, #80731, with a beautiful vent rib barrel. I'd like to find another barrel for it, apparently there was a change in barrel threads sometime after this one was made. Do you know where I could look for another barrel? Thanks! Kelye

[woody]

Jan 1, 2024 15:36:45 GMT -5 kelye said:

Hi Woody, I have a model 37 20 gauge skeet gun, #80731, with a beautiful vent rib barrel. I'd like to find another barrel for it, apparently there was a change in barrel threads sometime after this one was made. Do you know where I could look for another barrel? Thanks! Kelye

Only Ithaca 37’s over serial number 855000 have interchangeable barrels. If you wanted a different barrel for you gun it would have to be an older one and fitted to the gun. If you have a newer barrel fitted to it the older barrel would no longer work. I can ask around about an older barrel.

Is your gun a 37S?

[kelye]

Yes, it is marked 37-S. Thank you.