16ga.com ~ View topic - Ithaca Model 37 what a story !!! Need your help as well.

Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: SE USA

My good friend lost his dad to cancer about 3 years ago. He was in Vietnam and after being shot, I don't know how bad, received a Purple Heart among other medals. His mother recently found a box with his medals and letters he wrote home asking about his bird dog and the quail hunting back home. It will make you cry to read them...

Last week he brought me a Ithaca model 37 in 16 gauge. It looked rough. His mother found it hidden in the house. Needless to say it was my honor to clean it up for the family. I was able to fix the front sight and stock and spend 4 hours slowly cleaning it through and through. Seems we have a 1962 model with a open choke. It's not hurt and cleaned up nicely but light rust has done it's damage to the finish. It cyles smooth as silk... Smile

Points like a dream too.

My friend never saw the gun. He was not born back then and only heard tell of the old pump in the quail hunting stories. He is beyond excited !! His Daddy spent a many a year with him in the woods although his dad had not hunted quail since he was a boy, probably quit like many others when wild quail disappeared in the South.

I am so proud to be part of this wonderful story..

Now for my question I need help with.

The barrel is marked: 1. CYL. What does this mean ? Improved Cylinder or Cylinder bore ??

Improved Cylinder, great for most all kinds of hunting and clays shooting these days
Mike

Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: SE USA

Thank you

It's odd because it has the 1. CYL.

Vs IC or I. CYL or even IMP CYL

It's clearly a number 1 not an I

Thanks again

Member Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 1698 Location: Minnesota

Just checked my '48 and its clearly marked I. cyl. not 1. cyl.

Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: SE USA

[img]https://flic.kr/p/2kxrvHm[/img]

Maybe the 'I' stamp took a powder and the number one was available or, someone needed glasses or, the stamper drank his lunch....odds on tho, it is IC but one could pattern the barrel.

Is the barrel length 26"-ish?

Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: SE USA

Yes it's 26 inches.

My bet is IC as well...

Just a little odd on the stamping...

Thanks for the help...

Joined: 19 Jan 2017 Posts: 19 Location: Lower Alabama

0 is cylinder
1 is improved cylinder
2 is modified
3 is improved modified
4 is full choke

Joined: 19 Jan 2017 Posts: 19 Location: Lower Alabama

Sorry for the double post. I got a message that it failed so I tried again.

Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1257 Location: Nebraska

I'm not sure if they were still putting serial numbers on barrels in '62 but if so the number will be followed by a dash and a choke designation as listed by msheff.

Great opportunity for you to help out a friend with a very special project.

Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 90 Location: SE USA

I saw that after I posted this. Yes you are correct, serial number then -1

Thank you