Save my name and email to use for future comments. A slightly used but still functional Ithaca Model 37 DS Police Special provides a great afternoon of fun down at Demolition Ranch. The M&P Model served our troops well in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. A slamfire is a premature, usually unintended discharge of a firearm that occurs as a cartridge is being loaded into the chamber. Any of these that came to the factory for service were converted back to the original shell stops at no charge. The regular Model 87 serial number also appears on the receiver. At one time, there were predictions that the autoloader would someday replace the pump gun. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's Ithaca 37 Featherlight Slide Shotgun 12ga, Ithaca 37 Featherlight 16ga 2 3/4" Shells 28"bbl Shotgun W/ Scope MFG 1970, Ithaca 37 Featherweight Slide Shotgun 12ga, Ithaca 37 Featherlight Deerslayer Slide Shotgun 20ga, Ithaca Model 37 Defense 12ga. Much of the data presented for the Model 37 guns came from microfilm copies of Ithaca shipping records on file at the National Tracing Offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and from microfiche copies of invoices from the 1980 era that were found at the Ithaca factory. In addition to those mentioned, there have been various high-grade models with hand-engraving gold inlays and highly figured walnut stocks. The Model 37 was used by the United States Armed Forces in World War II,[5] the Korean War, and especially the Vietnam War, where it gained a great reputation for reliability in the jungles of Vietnam when generally used by special and special operations forces like the Navy SEALs[6] and Army Green Berets. The Model 37 was a big success and went on to have the longest production run of any pump-action shotgun, surpassing that of the Winchester Model 12 which had inspired the 37s very existence. Chamber marked 2 3/4", choke measured improved modified, and 14 1/4" LOP. You have entered an incorrect email address! In my safe I still have my 20-gauge Model 37 from 1960, which was my first shotgun and is still my favorite. It was designed to be used only with black powder, and after it was on the market for a short time, Winchester had John Browning beef up the receiver and make several internal changes to enable the gun to handle the smokeless propellants higher pressures. Barrel Choke: Cylinder Choke .730. Other than the name change, it was the same gun. They used the Remington Model 17 as their model and made modificationssuch as simplifying and cost-saving alterations of the firing pin and ejection mechanism, the work of Ithaca designer Harry Howland in 1931[2]while waiting for related patents to expire. Firing the gun by pulling the trigger releases the fore-end slide so it can be pulled to the rear to eject the spent shell and then pushed forward to quickly load another round into the chamber. Manufactured in 1978. The Ithaca 37 (or Model 37) is a pump-action shotgun made in large numbers for the civilian, military, and police markets. The largest single users outside the US Military were the New York City Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "An Official Journal of the NRA | A Look Back at the Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun", "The Ithaca Model 37 In U.S. Military Service", "Evolution of shotguns in the Marine Corps", "Vintage LAPD Ithaca M37 Shotgun Lottery", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ithaca_37&oldid=1137452851. When the face of the bolt hits the head of the chamber, unless there is a spring around the pin to retard its movement, inertia causes the firing pin to continue forward until it is stopped on the primer of the round. If the trigger is held back the hammer will follow the bolt forward as it closes. Come's with an extra barrel cut to 18 5/8" and ported. Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests. Hold the trigger back and you can go through the entire magazine by pumping the action. I understand they eventually "fixed" the slam fire feature and I'm wondering if there's anyway to tell. Good. $35.00 shipping. The 12 month average price is $782.47 new and $582.38 used. Magazine capacity: 4+1. He worked his way up to become president of the company and later was mayor of the city of Ithaca, New York. I have one made in 1975 that is a 20ga and another made in 1977 coming in 12 ga. . More than two million Model 37s have been produced over its 80-year history. A slightly used but still functional Ithaca Model 37 DS Police Special provides a great afternoon of fun down at Demolition Ranch. Of course, most shotgunning books and experts advise against slam firing any shotgun (the older Winchester Model 97s and 12s do it as well) but this is Demo Ranch, so tread at your own risk. Choke. The gun was called the 1911 but knick named "The widow maker" Interesting guns. The Ithaca Model 37 started life in 1937 in Ithaca, NY. Classic Guns: The Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun, Ballistics Basics: Bullet Efficiency And Ballistic Coefficients, New Rifle: Smith & Wessons Economical M&P10 Sport, Colt Single Action Army Clones And Replicas Vs. Originals, 8 On-Target Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2022), 10 Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun Options (2022), Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyers Guide (2022), Best Concealed Carry Handguns For Women (2022). That's nice, I won't feel bad about slamfiring it anymore! The Model 37 pictured is a late-production 30 " -barreled, 12-ga. example that is unmodified and appears to be unfired. About 48,000 Model 1917s were manufactured by the time it was discontinued in 1933 and replaced by the side-ejecting Model 31, which later evolved into the Model 870. Cookie Notice However, law enforcement agencies could order new guns with the slam fire if desired.The Ithaca 37 (or Model 37) is a pump-action shotgun made in large numbers for the civilian, military, and police markets. With Original Box, Ithaca Model 37 Featherlight 12 Gauge Shotgun Mfg.1952, Ithaca Model 37 16 ga UNFIRED VINTAGE 1958 COLLECTOR ***, Ithaca 37 16 ga Vintage Beauty 1949 Hardly Used, ITHACA MODEL 37 DUCKS UNLIMITED 40TH ANNIVERSARY 12 GAUGE. 16 Gauge, Guns Listing ID: 741035The Ithaca Model 37 Featherlight Deerslayer is a vintage pump action shotgun that was designed off a John Browning patent. Weight: 6.7 lb. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. The standard, introduced in around 1975 until current and the fire interrupter introduced around 1976 predominantly for LE use. it is clear that this exceptional example has spent the last nearly 65 yrs in a closet. Production paused in 2005 when Ithaca once again changed hands. A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. The Ithaca Model 37 is one of the greatest shotguns ever made, light fast handling, all machined parts, no plastic or stamped parts. That obviously hasnt happened, and today, some 120 years after the first successful slide-action went on the market, the good old pump still plays a big role in the shotgun sports. A shot in the dark, so to speak, perhaps to achieve, with a manual action, (known reliability) parity in respect of rates of fire with the emerging self- loaders..? Otherwise, the Model 37 operates in much the same way as other pump-action shotguns; with the exception that, unlike most pump-action (and semi-automatic) long arms - which usually eject expended shells to one side, usually the right - the Model 37 ejects them downward, through the aforementioned loading/ejection port. Like most of the old-line gunmakers of the 19th century, Ithaca has an interesting and complicated history. In the case of the Ithaca Model 37 shotgun, if you hold the trigger down while you continue to rack the weapon, it will fire without you having to let go of the trigger. Manufactured in 1962. Ithaca soon established itself as a major player in the firearms history. Receiver and bore are in excellent condition. *Interchangeable barrels began with serial number 855000. DECENT REFINISH OVER SOME LIGHT PITTING. This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! The DS Police Special that Matt has came factory standard with rifle sights on a 18.5-inch barrel and a park finish. Defense model , 8 shot with 20" barrel. He also hangs out in the I love my Ithaca section of shotgunworld as lecky56 With the depression dragging on and another war looming on the horizon, it was possibly the worst time to introduce a sporting arm. I first found this out rabbit hunting when I was a kid. Evolution Of The Model 37 The Model 37 operates in much the same way as other pump-action shotguns. The decision was made to wait until the patent for the Model 17 expired in 1933, at which time Ithaca would introduce a new bottom-ejection slide-action to be known as the Model 33. In the current catalog, you will find the Featherlight, Defense Gun, Deerslayer II, Deerslayer III, Turkey Slayer, Waterfowl, Trap Model, Womens Stock and 28 Gauge. with seldom seen 28 in. I understand they eventually "fixed" the slam fire feature and I'm wondering if there's anyway to tell. Ithaca has suffered many setbacks in its history and changed hands numerous times. The 12 month average price is $1,060.27 used. What you want it do do, fire when the action is closed and the trigger is depressed, will only happen if the gun is old enough to not have a disconnector. Todays Model 37 is available in 12, 16, 20 and 28 gauge. As such, its value would be around $400. The same can be said for the semi-auto, but the self-loading guns arent for every shooter. It, too, was based on a John Browning design. I've tested the gun on multiple circumstances and the sounds and animations do fluctuate abit especially in . The Model 37 had the slam fire from day one, and was discontinued in the late 70's. However, law enforcement agencies could order new guns with the slam fire if desired. It was made in several variations, including a riot-gun model with a 20-inch barrel that became popular with many law enforcement agencies. The Remington Model 17 has a disconnect system much like what semi-autos have. Firearms dont get much more iconic than John Moses Brownings legendary Auto-5 semi-auto shotgun, affectionately called the Humpback for its distinctive drop at the rear of the receiver. The Ithaca 37 remains a popular choice among civilians for both sport and personal protection. With a 2 3/4 in chamber it has a fixed Cyl. In the 1960s, changes began to occur at the company. That may make a difference to a buyer who wants differing choke selections for these fine pump guns. directly from the factory outlet store in 2016 after calling and asking if they have fixed the problem. Other special models over the years have included the Military & Police, English Style with a straight grip, Sporting Clays, Grouse Special, Hogslayer, Home Defense, Rifled Deluxe with a rifle barrel for slugs, Magnum, Bicentennial and others. He was Ithaca's head gunsmith for years before he retired. Only a few modest marks of, #DU37040XXXX 30" VENT RIB FULL CHOKE 2 3/4" CHAMBER SINGLE TRIGGER PISTOL GRIP EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH SOME LIGHT HANDLING FACTORY PAD 7LBS 0 OZ 13 7/8" LOP, **Price Reduced** Ithaca model 37 featherweight 12 gauge in great condition. On most models up to 1975, a second sear was installed that would drop the hammer as soon the gun went into battery if the trigger was in a depressed condition. At one time, the Ithaca 37 was renamed the Model 87, although it was soon changed back in one of many ownership changes. 1951 Ithaca model 37 Feather weight in 20ga. . Smith & Wesson Model 586: Reviewing A .357 Revolver With Class. The bore is in excellent condition. 1. At that point, Ithaca was no longer a gun company. The Model 37 has the fewest parts of any pump shotgun, promoting reliability and creating a smooth, light, positive action. The 28-gauge guns are built on a smaller receiver, which gives the model the easy handling and trim appearance one would expect for the gauge. Lugs that are machined out of the barrels original steel block create what Ithaca calls the truest, strongest barrel you will ever shoot.. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. America has been called a nation of riflemen, and those who learned how to shoot with a rifle are likely to be more comfortable sighting down the rib of a shotgun with one barrel. I bought it in '73, so it was fresh off the line. This, a "slamfire" is an inadvertent discharge due to (usually) a stuck firing pin or inertial pin.