Info from Ithaca Gun Co. Serial number check chart. Science math history literature technology health law business All Sections. I have a model 37, serial number 384854, that was given to me new in 1957. Presuming that serial numbers are assigned consecutively.
I am confused about the shotgun's serial number. I have tried to look it up but get confused by the number among models.
The serial falls in the gap of WWII guns so despite the wear and tear, if I read it right, mine might have been made in 64/65 but I am nowhere near confident of that assumption. I refinished the stock with BLO, it was nearly black with grime when I got it. Since it's not, as near as I can tell, anything special by way of collectibility, I reckoned it wouldn't hurt and I am happier with it. I believe mine has been 'to the wars.' Over all this gun has been rode hard and put up wet. There is wear on the internals that indicates it has been shot a lot.
By example, the positive shell stop is worn so that more than 2 shells in the mag will cause it to let 2 shells come out. That's a heck of a jam, let me tell you. (anybody know where I can find a positive shell stop? Last I looked, Numrich didn't have them.) There are no military stamps, nothing to suggest this gun was ever officially in the service. Still, as a rule, the army in 'Nam did not issue shotguns for soldiers in the field. (Marines got them though IIRC.) But, if you had one, they would supply plenty shells for them.
I do know soldiers bought sporting shotguns at the PX and cut down the barrels for carry in the field on that account. It is my belief that this may be one such. (if I got the serial date right.) I had long thought the checkering cut by an amateur. But I just got done roaming the web and looking at Mod37 stocks and that is a standard Ithaca 37 pattern, right down to bent and crooked likes. The pattern must have been made that way. Who'd' a thunk it? Anyway, the 73 and star carved in the stock- Home in 73?
I bought the shotgun here in Texas, that might account for the star. The roll 'engraving' on the receiver is almost completely worn away. The pic is of the best side. The blue is completely worn away, only finish is patina.
(I'm assuming the gun was blued and not parked.) The wear on this gun seems to me to far exceed that of a shotgun carried only for hunting, no matter how avid the hunter. The shotgun is marked 'full' so is a cut down. The barrel and receiver serials match.
The serial on the receiver is on the face or front of it. Said ser.# is 90241. The model designation on the barrel is 'Ithaca-37' hyphen is part of stamp and there are no letters like S or T there. Thanks whatever the case.
I think thou art mistaken. I have since found a serial number site that looks complete. My weapon's # is 90241. If written as 90,241 it's easier to see it cannot be a 1938 model (standard model) which runs from 3501-10000 (or 10,000) well short of my 90,000+ #. But, here's the problem.
1943 runs 63,001 - 69,999 There's a gap then to 1946 which runs 92,000 - 115,350 So mine seems to fall in that blank zone. What goes on there? I figured Ithaca was involved in other weapons production for WWII. But how then my shotgun???? My 90241 (90,241) seems to fall smack into in that blank zone. The gap in numbers would run 70,000 - (90,241)- 91,999. Is there any knowledge of war time production of model 37s?
Last edited by nothernug; at 12:29 PM. Reason: additional info. All the WWII military invoices are available and they list every gun sold to the US by the factory. The numbers stop around 63000 (without looking) and 80xxx for skeet and trap guns.
I am not sure if there was M37 production after the last trench gun rolled off the line, as the official line is that the shotgun line was converted to.45 pistols at that time. Yours is absolutely not military, so enjoy it for what it is.I quite agree that my shotgun was never purchased by or officially in the military.
No question about it, no argument, no debate. But, According to the lady at the Ithaca Guns Co., they did still make (I assume) commercial 37s during WWII. I quite agree that my shotgun was never purchased by or officially in the military. No question about it, no argument, no debate.
But, According to the lady at the Ithaca Guns Co., they did still make (I assume) commercial 37s during WWII. That's direct from the factory.Actually, it is not really from the factory. The company has changed hands and gone bankrupt several times, and the current company basically bought the trademark.
The original Ithaca did not have any WWII records, they were obtained from the National Archives. I would not bank on anything they told you on the phone.
There is no one who was there at the time, and the records they have are spotty at best. At this time there is no evidence at all that Ithaca ever made a commercial shotgun after the last trenchgun until the end of the war. Is it possible? But there is no evidence of that at all. What they told you and $2.00 (or it is $2.25 now) gets you on the subway.