Ithaca Model 37 Problem

[Joe Boleo]

When I was growing up in a rural area, small game hunting and shotguns were a popular topic. The Winchester Model 12s and Remingtons Model 870s had their loyal owners and advocates. However, it was the Ithaca Featherweight pump shotguns that caught attention. To this day, I have to examine every Ithaca Model 37 that I see in the used gun racks. I was in a gun shop yesterday and one of the clerks I know very well went into the back of the gun shop area and reappeared carrying a pump shotgun. He said it just came in on a trade and he thought I should have it. Turns out it was a mint condition 16 gauge from about 1970 with interchangeable barrels (the earlier Model 37s had the barrels custom fitted to the receivers and were not interchangeable). It was cheap because it was a 16 gauge, full choke and has a plain barrel. No matter, I brought it home. That is my problem, I am attached to Ithaca Model 37s. Take care...
Joe