doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Winchester 37 (half a double gun)

Hi, hope it's ok to ask about a single barrel gun here as I'm not sure where else to ask about it.
A model 37 , .410 has just been acquired by a friend of mine, as far as I can tell it's an earlier model with the top lever above the hammer. It's not in bad shape and he's asked if it's worth a re black, service and general tidy up.
I believe they were made between 36 and 63 but have no idea when it was made as there's no numbers. Is the top lever with a rolled around end (think it's called a pig tail ?) An indication of age .
There's no sign of red paint in the lettering on the underside of the receiver so we're not sure if it's the" one to have"
What's the general opinion, are they a good reliable little gun ? It looks solid and I believe they were very popular , it's made in the USA but I can't remember what was stamped onto the barrel.
Any input/views would be gladly received and if it's not the place to ask with it being a single barrel, it's cool if the post is moved.
Thanks
Nick.

In 1952, I was 12 year old and I bought a 20 Ga. Model 37 Winchester. I used the gun until I was 20. I put the gun into service again when my kids were old enough to shoot and once again when my grandkids were old enough. The little gun has also helped a few neighbor kids to learn to shoot and I wouldn't hesitate to use it my self to hunt birds or shoot skeet. So ... If your gun is still tight, I would have no problems shooting the gun.

If I remember correctly, the pigtail toplever was dropped after the first year of production ('36-37) while the redlettering was dropped in the '40s. So, a pigtail gun should have had red lettering, at least at some point in its life. Also the blunt (bull nosed) forend evolved to a tapered style in the '40s.

A reblack wont help the value and may hurt it, so financially it's not worth it, but we're talking about a couple hundred dollars, so it's really up to his personal preferences.

Nick, nice find in a way as I have been looking for a good example of a Model 37 for some time; just as a curiosity, as I don't think many were imported to the U.K.

This is what I have on the subject. The .410 model was introduced in 1940. If is lacks the depressed 'W' mark on the underside it is post 1948. They stopped making them in 1963.

Odd why they are scarce over here at the side of Harrington & Richardson's which turn up often. Lagopus.....

Harrington & Richardson had an association with the English shotgun trade, from their licensed manufacturing in Worcester, Mass. of the Anson & Deeley hammerless back in the 1880s.

As for the Winchester Model 37, I doubt it would have a following if not for the Winchester name on it.

[quote=El Garro]Hi, hope it's ok to ask about a single barrel gun here as I'm not sure where else to ask about it.
A model 37 , .410 has just been acquired by a friend of mine, as far as I can tell it's an earlier model with the top lever above the hammer. It's not in bad shape and he's asked if it's worth a re black, service and general tidy up.
I believe they were made between 36 and 63 but have no idea when it was made as there's no numbers. Is the top lever with a rolled around end (think it's called a pig tail ?) An indication of age .
There's no sign of red paint in the lettering on the underside of the receiver so we're not sure if it's the" one to have"


One of the better "Farmer Grade Garden Guns" out there. They were well made and hardly ever gave problems. The only part that went caput was the ejector/extractor which was offered for years by Cape Outfitters. I don't know Jeff's Outfitters may still have some in stock. The double barrel version is called Model 24.

I heard H&R offered some real nice doubles around the Golden Age of Shotgunning. You're being little tough on little Model 37. I would take the Winchester 37 over H&R singles that were made until relatively recently.

Sure Jagermeister... when you have to rent a Chinese .22 rifle and don't even own any double guns, a Winchester model 37 would be a huge step upward.

I had one and loved it. I used it to shoot pen raised birds when I was training my pointers

Couldn't ask for a better trainer, The dimensions are very similar to the mdl 12 pump & make the transition smoother. I have one in each gauge less the 28 & they make great loaners for introducing a youngster into the field with a shotgun.

m-4