Show us your Guns!

[FinalVestige79]

The Ithaca Model 1937 was also used by the US Military in the Pacific during the 2nd World War as a combat shotgun along with 7 other types of shotguns pressed into service. The Model 37 can still be had...on sites like:

http://www.gunbroker.com/

http://www.gunsamerica.com/

Top price for an Ithaca M1937 is about $450-75, lowest would be around $300.

The most common one is the Featherlight model.

 

[zetwal]

SW 357

OK I'll chime in with one of mine. Here's a late 50s model 66. I normally have a rubber grip on it. I replaced that with the original hardwood grip for the photo.

 

["Skeet" McD]

I can confirm that Ithaca does/did manufacture such a shotgun. I don't recall the model offhand, but my dad uses one for hunting. Beware, however, that it can be a picky ba***rd, and will not eject Remington shells with any degree of reliability. Oddly, a Winchester or Federal shell of the same length poses no problem.

Dear JJW: I'll second that, along with the ID as the Ithaca 37 given elsewhere. A good friend at the Skeet field shot one very frequently, particularly for vintage Skeet. It's a good gun...I remember the action as being very smooth indeed...but sadly, I have to confirm that it is picky about its fodder. If you reload, you're all set....just find the hulls it likes and away you go.

If you find one...I think you'll be pleased with it. Shouldn't be all that hard.

"Skeet"

 

[DutchIndo]

JJWord. the clerk at the store was right; Ithaca DID make a downward-eject shotgun. It is called the Ithaca model 37. Unfortunately it is no longer made. Ithaca made them for decades, so they are out there on the used market. They were made in a variety of gauges and variations.

I hope that helps.

Pete

I read at one time the Ithaca 37 were favored by the SEALs for the bottom ejection. I believe it was the 37 that lacks a disconnector (it's been years since I held one). That enables one to hold the trigger while cycling the pump.

 

["Skeet" McD]

I read at one time the Ithaca 37 were favored by the SEALs for the bottom ejection. I believe it was the 37 that lacks a disconnector (it's been years since I held one). That enables one to hold the trigger while cycling the pump.

Not alone in that! When I first shot my 1913 model 1912 (the predecessor to the Model 12), the same friend who shoots the Ithaca 37 discovered the 12 did the same thing...while shucking quickly to shoot a double. THAT was a surprised look on his face...funny the way you get used to the tiniest differences in coordination without even thinking of it...

"Skeet"

 

[anon`]

There are several pump action shotguns that can function that, and I can also attest to a Model 1912 doing that. 'Cept I just lost some cool points, having finally met someone with an older 1912 than I

 

["Skeet" McD]

There are several pump action shotguns that can function that, and I can also attest to a Model 1912 doing that. 'Cept I just lost some cool points, having finally met someone with an older 1912 than I

Well, probably not, seeing as you've gained some from me finding someone else who even knows they exist . If I remember correctly from when I scoped out the SN, it was July 1913 mine was made. It's been reblued, which has made some of the stamping less crisp than might be desired...but, on the other hand, I wanted a gun that looked like it did when it was new. And (if you don't look VERY closely)...it does. Lovely gun, particularly for my interests...among its other excellencies is that fact that (unusually for the time, as you know), it's a cylinder bore 12g. I LOVE that gun for Skeet....

"Skeet"

 

[anon`]

[QUOTE="Skeet" McD]Well, probably not, seeing as you've gained some from me finding someone else who even knows they exist . If I remember correctly from when I scoped out the SN, it was July 1913 mine was made. It's been reblued, which has made some of the stamping less crisp than might be desired...but, on the other hand, I wanted a gun that looked like it did when it was new. And (if you don't look VERY closely)...it does. Lovely gun, particularly for my interests...among its other excellencies is that fact that (unusually for the time, as you know), it's a cylinder bore 12g. I LOVE that gun for Skeet....

"Skeet"[/QUOTE]
Are they really that unknown? Wow... first shotgun I e'er laid eyes on was this one! My dad bought it off some guy back in '64 or so. He got the gun, a box of shells and something else that had nothing whatsoever to do with firearms for $80. It passed to me when Dad decided that he decided that he was too old to lug it around in the field any longer and bought his Model 37.

Mine was made in 1917 and is as authentic as you can get! Original everything, except for parts of the ejection mechanism (which was replaced around 25 years ago). If the metal was ever blued, it's all long since gone. Now it's nice, patina-d nickel steel. One helluva field gun, though: you can drag it through dirt and mud and snow, drop it in the lake or canal... you name it, and it keeps on shooting with nary a complaint.

Does yours have the diamond inlay on the stock, or 'bulging' forestock, by any chance?

 

[Chasseur]

Opas Coat,

Handsome drilling! Also very practical calibers for North American, the 30-06 and 12 bore. Very nice! I love drillings!

 

[FinalVestige79]

my model 12 does that too...but mine is made in 38 and has ordnance markings. I spoke to my great uncle about it, he was a Marine in the war. and said that guys loved the shotguns, and that squads usually had 2-3 combat shotguns integrated into them.

 

["Skeet" McD]

Are they really that unknown?...Mine was made in 1917 and is as authentic as you can get!...Does yours have the diamond inlay on the stock, or 'bulging' forestock, by any chance?

Well, Model 12s are common as dirt...and no disrespect meant to a fine gun, whose value is proved by the long years of manufacture and high numbers manufactured. The Model 1912 was was only made for a bit more than 5 years...and most folks are probably unaware that there was this short-lived predecessor. The differences between the original and the long-lived successor are...not many. No, I don't think my gun has either of the items you mention, for what it's worth.

"Skeet"

 

[anon`]

[QUOTE="Skeet" McD]Well, Model 12s are common as dirt...and no disrespect meant to a fine gun, whose value is proved by the long years of manufacture and high numbers manufactured. The Model 1912 was was only made for a bit more than 5 years...and most folks are probably unaware that there was this short-lived predecessor. The differences between the original and the long-lived successor are...not many. No, I don't think my gun has either of the items you mention, for what it's worth.

"Skeet"[/QUOTE]
Ah, I gotcha now. I'm of the camp that tends to use "Model 1912" and "Model 12" interchangeably, and I honestly couldn't tell you the difference between the two, but for the fact that the former model is stamped "1912" and the latter simply "12". Winchester doesn't seem to have reset or otherwise altered the roll of serials when the Model 12 went into manufacture in 1918...

 

[Opas Coat]

Opas Coat,

Handsome drilling! Also very practical calibers for North American, the 30-06 and 12 bore. Very nice! I love drillings!

Thank you. Before that I carried a .270 Win bolt with a scope. I could hit damn near anything I could see in the scope if not the firs time somewhere in the five rounds I had. It is a very difficult transition to go from a rifle with a magazine and scope to a single shot where you only have one shot as far as you can see with your eyes.

I seriously doubt there is a better combination for around these parts. It is particularly nice when the deer hunt goes bad and your feeling like crap till you smack a partridge with the .12. It doesn't matter how early you got up, where you went or what the weather is like, its all worth it when you don't come home empty handed.

I cant run steel shot in it for fear of destroying the barrels. That leaves out water fowl out for around here. I'm currently looking for a good English side by side for that.

I have the original order papers for it from Simson hidden away in the house somewhere.

 

[JJWord]

Thank you Anon, Pete, GG, Skeet, and Dutch!

Good to know specifically what to look for with the Ithaca '37, and that I have an option beyond the $400-500 Browning BPS.

So the Remington's don't like to eject on them? Is it a matter of low brass vs high brass and the shells not having the mass to kick out?

 

[anon`]

Thank you Anon, Pete, GG, Skeet, and Dutch!

Good to know specifically what to look for with the Ithaca '37, and that I have an option beyond the $400-500 Browning BPS.

So the Remington's don't like to eject on them? Is it a matter of low brass vs high brass and the shells not having the mass to kick out?

Welcome!

I'm honestly not entirely certain why the Ithaca doesn't like to eject the Remington shells, but the current theory revolves around the fact that their brass is higher than on Winchester shells. I suppose it's possible that the spent shell is just a tiny bit longer on the Remington shells, as well. Doubtful that it's a mass issue, though, as the Ithaca ejects down and all. They get stuck in there pretty good, though easy enough to pry out... but not great when hunting. You'll only get one shot!

 

[Hopalong]

That's my favorite pistol to but because I'm a WW II Collector I'm looking for the military version to purchase and it's known as a S&W Victory 38 and I'm looking for one that is U.S. Navy marked. Mike

A Smith & Wesson Model 10 with a 5" barrel. I added the buffalo horn grips some years ago.[/QUOTE]

 

[JJWord]

Welcome!

I'm honestly not entirely certain why the Ithaca doesn't like to eject the Remington shells, but the current theory revolves around the fact that their brass is higher than on Winchester shells. I suppose it's possible that the spent shell is just a tiny bit longer on the Remington shells, as well. Doubtful that it's a mass issue, though, as the Ithaca ejects down and all. They get stuck in there pretty good, though easy enough to pry out... but not great when hunting. You'll only get one shot!

Hmm, that's very interesting. My father-in-law's autoloader hates low brass target loads (Winchester and Remmington alike) since the shell doesn't carry enough momentum to clear the ejection port. Our theory is due to less brass/lower mass, since the same gun is fine with high brass shells. So my mind automatically equated ejection jam to low brass. Didn't click for a second that I'm specifically looking for downward ejection Funny how the brain works sometimes.

 

[Doublegun]

JJWord. the clerk at the store was right; Ithaca DID make a downward-eject shotgun. It is called the Ithaca model 37. Unfortunately it is no longer made.

Not true. Ithica did close down a few years ago but re-opend in central Ohio last year. You can in fact buy new M37's although I don't know why anyone would want to. There are a lot of fine original M37's on the market that are "vintage" in every respect. Other than a BPS (cough, cough) I know of no other bottom ejecting shotguns. A well cared for firearm will last for generations and unless one if fond of cheap wood, pressed checkering, black plastic, poor wood-to-metal fit and generally crappy manufacturing there is no reason to buy a "new" shotgun unless you want to spend some serious $$ on a custom made double.

If you are stuck on a bottom ejecting pumpgun, look for an old 16 or 20 ga M37 with a sound stock (all were american walnut) and a litttle steel showing through the bluing. Chances are the action will be slick and smooth and will have probably already shucked more shells than you'll ever dream of shooting. Take it home, give it a good cleaning with Hoppe's #9 and when finished wipe it down with a old soft cloth and some good gun oil. Then sit back, pour yourself a couple fingers of your favorite hooch, take a deep breath savoring the smell of the Hoppe's and toast all the scratches and dings that gun has. Then contemplate the scratches and dings you will contribute to the old gal (if your lucky). However, be warned, most M37's were made when shells were paper, not plastic. And paper shells, regardless of manufacture, were and are shorter than today's plastic shells, regardless of manufacturer. M37's will jam, unless you become very proficient at shucking them.

 

[Doublegun]

Enough talk of pistols, black guns, auto-jammers, and pump-guns. Here are some shotguns that are truly vintage. All American made (by hand), all fully functioinal, and as lively in hand as any gun you could hope to handle.

This is a 16 ga Parker DH that left the shop in 1894. The barrels are the original 28" damascus.

This is a 16 ga Parker VH made in 1904 with 28" fluid steel barrels:

This is a 20 ga Parker DHE made in 1923 with 30" fluid steel barrels:

And my duck gun. a 10 ga Parker DH made in 1894, with 32" damascus barrels:

 

[DutchIndo]

The Shotgun I've been drooling over for years is the Winchester Model 97. I heard the Chinese reprod those. I haven't heard the verdict on those though. It would seem sacreligious though.