Ithaca Model 37

History of the Ithaca Model 37

The Ithaca Model 37 (M37) has proven to be a very popular pump slide shotgun since its introduction in 1937 (still in production in 2013). The product was based on design work begun in 1933 in connection with the expiration of a patent held by Remington Arms, which delayed its official registration until 1937. The shotgun was designed to counteract the success of the Remington and Winchester designs and borrowed from the original Remington Model 17 in 1917 by John Moses Braun and John Pederson (improved in 1931 as the Remington Dayton 31) work.

When World War II broke out in the United States in late 1941, Ithaca stopped additional production of the Model 37 to help make existing pistols and submachine guns for war use. Production of the Type 37 resumed after the war.

Externally, the Model 37 has a refined, clean design with a seemingly unremarkable receiver that houses the mechanics. Firearms can be equipped with full shoulder rests (standard) or tactical pistol grips (safety and military). The barrel is fully exposed in front of the receiver, with the tubular magazine attached below and partially hidden by the pump slide (in the form of ribbing, rifling or smooth bore). One of the Model 37's unique design elements is the use of a port under the receiver (just in front of the trigger group) that serves as both a load port and an ejection port. This way, the operator simply feeds the grenade into the magazine as usual and uses the pump pusher to insert a new grenade into the magazine while ejecting any spent casings inside - all through the same port.

This makes the weapon technically simpler than other competing shotgun designs and somewhat easier to maintain. Also, this weapon is neither left-handed nor right-handed, making it truly ambidextrous.

This distinction aside, the Ithaca Model 37 is more or less a very traditional pump slide shotgun - easy to use and handle.

The Model 37 was offered in numerous production models during its impressive run - the longest of any pump slide shotgun in history - allowing it to be offered in different barrel lengths as well as in different caliber shapes (12 -16, 20 and 28 sizes). In 1971, Argentina took over local licensed production of the Model 37 under the name "Bataan Modelo 71", while other countries -- legal or illegal -- produced them on their own terms.

One of the most recognizable (and recognizable) production forms of the Type 37 became the "Stakeout" version, which combined the aforementioned tactical pistol grip with a 13-inch barrel in an extremely compact form factor. This version is primarily offered to law enforcement and security organizations, while being very popular in many Hollywood-produced TV shows and movies - no doubt because of its unique and spectacular appearance.

The main civilian sport/hunting model is the Model 37 "Featherlight" with full wood shoulder rest and smooth wood slides. The receiver is available in steel or aluminium construction with black walnut furniture. Featherlight is available in 12, 16, 20 and 28 gauges.

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