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Akoss1923
PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 4:55 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 07 Feb 2018
Posts: 29
Location: New York, USA

Hey everyone,

I was at my local gun shop and came across a gem of an Ithaca on the shelf. The owner of the store had gotten his hands on an Ithaca 37R Deluxe Featherlight in 16 - which, of course, I needed to get my hands on.

This gun happens to be one of three Ithaca pumps in my possession now, but the first and only to have the solid rib that is so elusive to find.

Now that I have it -- I have a couple of questions. First, I want to date this gun. I have searched high and low to get an accurate idea of what it could be but all serials I pull up seem misleading. The stamped serial is six digits long, starting with 681XXX-2. Can anyone tell me what year it was manufactured?

Also, the previous owner (only one person owned this gun before me) happened to make some modifications to the stock by shortening it. However, after inspecting the wood and finish, I am beginning to wonder if this was the original stock that came with this gun. It happens to look eerily similar to some of the old Herter's stocks that were made for the Ithaca's.

If anyone can get back to me with some answers to either question, it would be much appreciated. In the mean time, enjoy the pics! Very Happy

[url=https://imgur.com/r1glmD8] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/E8WC5J8] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/ipPJaMc] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/hfAiOPH] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/iAWQMrY] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/9hNM56k] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/ET5wS1W] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/mVuRNCH] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/QPBOhZY] [/url]
[url=https://imgur.com/AiZg181] [/url]
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16'er
PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 5:00 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 1393
Location: Tappahannock, Virginia

Forend and stock look like a pretty good match, so my vote is it’s original.

Love the solid rib guns. Late 40’s or early 50’s? Serial number should confirm...
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jrothWA
PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 5:07 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 367

1956 ended about 652000, 1957 ended 704000.

Likely early 1957

Does the barrel have the same SN about the five o'clock position??

If not have the headspace checked before using.

THEN ENJOY IT!!!
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Akoss1923
PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 5:09 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 07 Feb 2018
Posts: 29
Location: New York, USA

Thanks guys, I was figuring that too for year but can't seem to find anything confirmatory about it through Ithaca's serial records. The gun has the same SN for the barrel and the receiver, which is marked on the face next to the barrel and magazine tube
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jrothWA
PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 5:26 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 367

all pre-855,000 SN's (1963) are stamped there,
Post 855,000 are above the trigger on right receiver face, after 1968 the 37 characters were leading the SN.

Any barrel you find, will need the SN on the barrel and headspaces before use.
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P. Howard Clayton
PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 5:45 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 13 Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Location: North Georgia

Beautiful wood, handsome gun...he said enviously! Smile

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Pine Creek/Dave
PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2018 8:13 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2787
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa

AKOSS1923,

Very nice Ithaca 40 -50's guns, looks like the 1st owner kept her in real nice shape.

Enjoy

Pine Creek/Dave

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Cold Iron
PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2018 11:05 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 09 Mar 2016
Posts: 746
Location: Mn.

Your 37RD was made in 1957. The stock is correct checkering for a 37RD and 37RDV. Although obviously not the recoil pad, an Ithaca Sunburst pad would be period correct for you gun.

Congrats on a great and rare 37RD! Been looking for one in 16 ga. to go with my 16 ga. 37RDV



Both are kind of rare birds.
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Pine Creek/Dave
PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2018 11:13 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 2787
Location: Endless Mountains of Pa

Cold Iron,

I agree a real nice Ithaca Pump Gun, my best friend has one. He will never give it up. Watched him shoot more than a few True Double, down thru the years with that gun, in the right hands they are one deadly shotgun.

Pine Creek/Dave

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Ohio Wirehair
PostPosted: Tue May 29, 2018 1:56 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 24 Jul 2016
Posts: 546
Location: Ohio

If it were mine I'd get a Sunburst pad from CSMC, $30 plus shipping. That's a exceptional find, you did well,very well. Might add there are at least 2 folks on this thread that would be happy to relieve you of the stress of caring for it for a nominal fee.I would like to stress again that beauty needs a old timey red Sunburst! OR there's one like on Cold Irons gun on Ebay right now for 20 some bucks.
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Akoss1923
PostPosted: Thu May 31, 2018 5:58 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 07 Feb 2018
Posts: 29
Location: New York, USA

Thanks everyone for the info! This one will cherished for a long time.
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