Make: Ithaca Gun Co.

Model: Custom Model 37

Serial Number: 625163

Year of Manufacture: 1956

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4" Shells

Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Shotgun

Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 20".

Choke: Fixed Cylinder Bore

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead mounted to the bayonet lug assembly. The barrel is not drilled for a bead. The top of the receiver has a sighting plane, serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a grooved slide handle, pistol grip, straight comb, inlaid sling plate in the belly and serrated black plastic Ithaca buttplate. There are a few nicks, mostly in the buttstock. The finish in the sling plate inlet indicates that the buttstock has been refinished. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 14" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as customized.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore and scratches at the muzzle-end where the cut was dressed. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear on the bottom of the magazine and receiver as well as the left-rear of the barrel. There is some other scattered more minor wear. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks around the mounting screws for the bayonet lug assembly. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as customized.

Mechanics: The actions functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The installed leather sling is included.

Our Assessment: The Ithaca 37 enjoys a good reputation for its durability, ambidextrous ejection design, smooth action and of course for being one of few pump shotguns which can be “slam-fired”, meaning that with the trigger depressed, pushing the slide handle forward and locking the action will allow the chambered round to be fired without needing to reset the trigger. In addition to seeing use by bird and deer hunters for generations, the Model 37 has served in WWII, the Vietnam War and in countless law enforcement agencies across the country. This example is in the Trench-Gun style, with a 6-row ventilated handguard/bayonet lug installed. The assembly is proper for an Ithaca Trench-Gun with the exception of the smooth buttstock which would have been a commercial checkered stock. Additionally, the serial number is a little early for an Ithaca trench gun and the barrel has been cut back to 20". A gun like this with a two-foot bayonet sticking off the end would probably put second thoughts in enemy soldiers! The gun is in Very Good condition as customized with the majority of its blue finish remaining, a bright bore, and great mechanics. This would be a great gun for an Ithaca collector or a military shotgun collector as a placeholder for an issued Trench-Gun. If the collectors don’t snap it up, it will still serve as a great defensive shotgun and host for an M1917 bayonet. Please see our photos and good luck!