Ithaca Model 37 Sporting / Security / Law Enforcement / Combat Shotgun (1937)
The Ithaca Model 37 pump-action shotgun is still in service after nearly a century.
Outwardly, the Model 37 was of a refined, clean design with a seemingly featureless receiver housing the action. The firearm could be fitted with a full shoulder stock (standard) or tactical pistol grip (security and military). The barrel was completely exposed ahead of the receiver with the tubular magazine affixed under and partially shrouded by the pump-action slide (available in ribbed, rifled or plain forms). One of the unique design elements of the Model 37 was its utilization of a port under the receiver (just ahead of the trigger group) that doubled as both the loading port and ejection port. In this way, the operator simply fed shells into the magazine as normal and used the pump-action slide to introduced a new shell into the chamber while, at the same time, ejecting any spent shell casings within - all through the same port. This allowed the weapon to be technologically simpler than other competing shotgun designs and eased maintenance work to an extent. Additionally, the firearm did not favor left- or right-handed shooters and was thusly truly ambidextrous. Beyond this distinction, Ithaca Model 37 was more or less a very conventional pump-action slide shotgun - easy to operate and handle.
The Model 37 became available in numerous production models during its impressive run - the longest of any pump-action slide shotgun in history - which allowed for it to appear with varying barrel lengths as well as differing caliber forms (12- 16-, 20- and 28-gauge). Argentina took on local-license production of the Model 37 as the "Bataan Modelo 71" in 1971 while others manufactured it - whether legally and illegally - on their own terms.
One of the most famous (and identifiable) Model 37 production forms became the "Stakeout" edition which incorporated the aforementioned tactical pistol grip and 13-inch barrel for an extremely compact form. This version was made primarily available to law enforcement and security groups while proving exceedingly popular many Hollywood-produced television shows and motion pictures - no doubt due to its unique and imposing appearance.
The primary civilian-marketed sporting/hunting model is the Model 37 "Featherlight" featuring a full wooden shoulder stock with smooth wooden slide. The receiver comes in steel or aluminum construction with black walnut furniture. The Featherlight is available in 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge forms. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Ithaca Model 37
Sporting / Security / Law Enforcement / Combat Shotgun
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company - USA
Initial Year of Service: 1937
Overall Length: 1000mm (39.37in)
Barrel Length: 760.00mm (29.92in)
Weight (Empty): 7.28lbs (3.30kg)
Cartridge: 12-, 16-, 20-, 28-gauge
Action: Manually-Actuated Pump-Action Slide; Repeat-Fire
Feed: 4, 5- or 8-Round Tubular Magazine
Rate-of-Fire: 12 rounds per minute
Sights: Iron Front; Optional Optics (Some Models)
Variants:
Model 37 - Base Series Designation
M37 - Ithaca Gun Company model designation
Model 37 "Deerslayer" - Hunting Variant; shortened barrel length; rifle-style sights.
Model 37 "Defense" - Security Variant; 18.5-inch barrel length; 5- or 8-round round tubular magazine depending on barrel installation.
Model 37 "Featherlight" - Hunting Variant; black walnut furniture.
Model 37 "Ultralight" - Aluminum receiver
Model 37 "Stakeout" - Law Enforcement Model; pistol grip; 13-inch barrel.
Model 37 28-Gauge - Special 28-Gauge Model
Operators: Argentina; China; United States
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