doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ithaca 37 Skeet

I've recently purchased a Skeet Model Ithaca 37. The gun has the wide Knick rib, upgraded wood with handcut checkering, and is factory stamped "skt" on the barrel. The serial number is S 38xxx. I would appreciate help in determining a date of manufacture for this gun. Thanks in advance for any information you can supply

Try the Ithaca site on Shotgunworld.com

vaughn-
The way I read Walt Snyder's book "Ithaca Featherweight Repeaters..The Best Gun Going'... yours would be a pre-war 1941 vintage..
Those guns are very collectible...I'd recommend picking up Walt's book...It is a wonderful reference book AND a great read.......-Doug

Serial # 38XXX was made in early 1941 shortly before the Model 37S were assigned the serial number block of 80000 to 87999.

I appreciate the information. It sounds like I happened on a good find...as I bought the gun for less than $400 in 90% condition. The same shop still has on the rack a 37 Trap version, also a Knick rib model, with hand cut checkering. It's at least 90%, though with a higher serial number (can't recall how much higher). They're asking $495, but I'm guessing $400 cash would bring it home. I'm sure that a later, post-war version target gun (as I think the trap model is) would be less collectible than the pre-war skeet gun, but it sounds like I may need to go back and get the trap gun too.

Glad to learn about the Walt Snyder Ithaca 37 reference book. Knowledge is power....Thanks again.