[.]I have just purchased a 20 gauge itaca featherlight shotgun with a red pistol grip cap. Does this cap designate anything. The gun is in 90 % condition with a serial # of 371552111. Anyone care to give me a guess at age and value? I realize it is in the eye of the beholder as far as condition is concerned, but i would appreciate a educated guess.
Thanks
ron
I just picked up my Ithaca and looked it over a little closer. The red pistol grip cap has a flying duck on it. On one side of the receiver are three ducks or geese. On the other side is a dog along with two flying pheasants. It is not the aluminum model. Anyone want to give me a little more info?
thanks
Ron
I think I just discovered that my Ithaca is a 37R Featherlight takedown model with a 28" full choke barrel. It does say in the Gun Values Blue Book to add 25
% for a 20 gauge. Does that sound likely to you guys?
thanks
Ron
I think what you have is a 37D (deluxe) The 37 R indicates a solid rib gun these were discontinued in the early 60s.
The red grip cap is interesting, this was introduced as said before were introduced in the 78/79 time frame. I think some one replaced the black grip cap with the red one.
i think what you have is a 37d (deluxe) the 37 r indicates a solid rib gun these were discontinued in the early 60s.
The red grip cap is interesting, this was introduced as said before were introduced in the 78/79 time frame. I think some one replaced the black grip cap with the red one.
i still don't know what model it is for sure. In my blue book of gun values it doesn't list a 37d in the featerlight---
From what I have seen the blue book is really rather vague when it comes to the model 37. What they call the R version more than likely means a vent rib model. They might even use RV as a designation.
A mid 70s D model would have a flur de lis pattern checkering on the stock and forearm. It could have a plain or vent rib barrel. The what I'll call standard model would have the same checkering on the stock and a plain forearm with finger grooves.
It certainly looks like an M37, and I have always liked those red caps.
I can not tell from the pictures if that is a Fleur De'Lis checkering, but it certainly could be. I think Southpaw is the go-to source on this one. My knowledge on the subject is tapped. Good luck!
__________________
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I should have worded it differently,note the flur de lis at each end of the checkering on the stock and forearm.
From the pictures it looks like the gun has been re-stocked. That would account for the red grip cap. also notice the difference between the stock and forearm.
IMO re-stocking isn't a big deal. However, to a collector that will lower the value. That said, most collectors look for the prewar models.
IMO what you have is a really nice 70s model 37. Have a good time shooting it.
I did take a few more pics to see if you can determine anything else. as far as I can tell the stock and forearm are from the same piece of wood. the checkering is quite nice as you can see. I do not know what the Fleur de"lis means, but I think both the stock and forearm have special cuttings. Just for your info I paid $300 for it. Did I get hosed or was it a good buy?
thanks
Butte99
This thread caused me to haul out my wife's Ithaca Model 37. It was her father's from as far back as she can recall, is in reasonably good condition though it looks as though it might have been restocked. However, I cannot for the life of me locate a serial number on it anywhere. Where would that have normally been found?
On the older models serial numbers were on the front of the receiver where it meets the barrel on the right hand side. The same number should be on the barrel as well.
The number on the barrel will have a - then a number this indicates the choke. For example 12356-2.
Sorry it took so long to reply, but--i did take out the ithaca and did some clay pigeon shooting. I could not hit anything with it. My son who is a pretty good shooter tried it too with the same results(missed 65% of the clays. We then switched to a browning bps and were hitting 90-95%. Needless to say i took out a ad in the local paper and someone else is shooting it now. I don't know if the stock was not the correct length, but something was wrong for sure. No more 37s for me.
Thanks
3Likes
Pictures would be nice
Ithaca 
