New to my collection

[jeffb]

Picked up an older Ithica 37 today at an estate action. 16 gauge with a full choke and 3 boxes of #6 shells. Have not checked the date of manufacture yet but I am guessing no later than the mid 60's. Gave $298 for gun and shells. Could not find one in 16 gauge on the action sites. Did I do ok?

[duckslayer870]

The old ithacas 37 were built like tanks. Its actually a shame that they arent in production anymore. IMO you did great.

[jeffb]

Found the serial number. Stamped on the bottom of the barrel where it goes into the receiver. 20xxx which dates it to 1940 by what I have found on the net.

[trader rob]

they are probably one of the best shotguns in 16 ga. they were made to scale, not on a 12 ga, frame. i have had a couple, i really like them. have a 20 right now, light and handy.

i would say you did ok. i don't think i would take 400 for mine.

[trust me]

Depends on the condition. I haunted the auctions for months until I finally picked up a fair-to-rough 54 model for 215. It's my go-to grouse gun now. If yours is really sweet, you did well. If it is a rough field gun, then maybe you paid a premium for the best 16 pump ever made. Be happy regardless. They are wonderful field guns, designed by the master, John M. Browning.

I weighed and measured my '54 16 against my '78 20. The 16 is a couple ounces lighter, even with the PolyChoke, and the frame dimensions are identical.

[jeffb]

Its not mint by any means. Wood is in good shape without any major dings or scratches, some light scratches and blueing loss on the receiver. Barrel is plum colored. Some of the screws are a little buggered up from where I assume he broke it down to clean it. I would say the guy shot a lot of squirrels with it. Its the first 37 I have handled and it does feel right and that action is butter smooth.

[GunCat]

The old ithacas 37 were built like tanks. Its actually a shame that they arent in production anymore. IMO you did great.

Check this out..no 16s, but the 12, 20, and 28 are available again. (http://www.ithacagun.com/firearms.html)

[trust me]

Check this out..no 16s, but the 12, 20, and 28 are available again. (http://www.ithacagun.com/firearms.html)

They're struggling on a day-to-day basis. The Ithaca Co. has been buried and dug back up more times in the last 10 years than a bone in the dog lot. I hope they can hold on, because one day I'd like to own their fine product, but what is killing them is most people today want a camoed semi-auto that shoots up to 3.5" shells. The market for a really fine quality, high priced pump field gun is too small for them to make a go of it.

Not to mention that if you want an Ithaca, there are plenty of old ones still kicking around that are in perfectly serviceable condition and can be bought for way less than half of the price of a new one. Although since the Winchester Mod. 12 supply has dried up, collectors have discovered the 37 and are now driving prices up on them as well.

[smashdn]

Check this out..no 16s, but the 12, 20, and 28 are available again. (http://www.ithacagun.com/firearms.html)

16's were scheduled to be out after the 28. This according to the guy who runs the place. A new one almost a grand. Tough to compete with an 870 express or Mossberg. I have always been intrigued by the 37's but can't shoot a pump for the life of me.

Try this out if you are into 16's

16ga.com

[mmayes]

Make sure it has a 2 3/4" chamber and not 2 9/16".

Mayes

[westkybanded]

Make sure it has a 2 3/4" chamber and not 2 9/16".

Mayes

Sound advice! If the latter is true, it's not a big deal to have the chamber reamed to accomidate the larger shells.

[Little Scout]

I got my Grandads when he passed away. nice gun. I'd say its a fair price. Never hunted with it but its mean on starlings out to 50 yards!

[trust me]

Sound advice! If the latter is true, it's not a big deal to have the chamber reamed to accomidate the larger shells.

I don't think the 2 9/16" chamber was a problem for the 37. The Browning A-5's and the Win 12's in that chambering crop up from time to time though.

The Ithaca Mod 37 was originally the Remington 17, and Rem didn't keep it in production very long. Ithaca bought the design and had to wait for the 20 year patent to expire, and so in 1937 they came out with the 37.

I think that chambering was forgotten by 1920 or thereabouts.