Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Price check on Ithaca 37?

Been looking for a nice carrying shotgun for bird hunting next year, and I came across a 1949 Ithaca 37, in 16 ga, plain 28" barrel, mod choke. Bluing's pretty worn, a few scratches on the receiver and some worn finish on the wood. Fits nice, nice and light, too. I think it would be a perfect grouse gun. They're asking $470, which seems high to me, but I haven't done a lot of looking at these guns, so I don't have much to compare it too, especially in terms of the 16 ga.

Any feedback?

thanks!

round these parts thats $200 too much. old 16g 37's are real common. the 20's command more but not even that much. those old ones are nice though.

What rem141 said....that's high for a plain barrel 16 gauge. Back in that era the 16 gauge 37 was very popular for upland game shooting and not hard to find now in the dusty used gun racks. It would have to be (factory) vent rib upgrade or in exceptional shape to command that kind of price.

Usually between $250-300 for that condition.

I have my Dads of the same vintage. I agree with DakotaDeer though mine is worth probably $100k +. I took it out not long ago on a preserve hunt. It always shocks me when people are so surprised to see a plain barreled pump and ask if you really hunt with it. They were really surprised at the end of the day and even the guide commented about it. If you can get the gun for the right price it is a good solid old gun and better than a lot of what's out there today.

I bought almost the same gun four years ago for $235 OTD from a pawn shop and it even had a left hand safety on it, which saved me the cost of conversion.

$470 seems very highh!

Seems high to me for a plain barrel. I have one of the 20 gauge ones and they will bring more. A fantastic gun, wonderful in the field. If it is what you want go for it.

Tried to make an offer on it and they wouldn't consider it until it had been on the rack a lot longer. Cabela's...

Usually between $250-350 for that condition. around me

That's Cabelas

Must think it's better to have your money sitting waiting to make a killing rather than turn your inventory . Obviously the time value of money isn't a widely understood concept in a lot of gunshops.

My boss used to say you don't sell guns like bananas. I am sixty one and still hunt with the A-5 Browning I bought when I turned 16. They don't wear out.
He liked to make money on guns otherwise he said you are just selling them for experience.

Our local Cabelas has a pair of 60's production 37s on the rack. Nice guns, plain bbls one has a rat tail forend and the other is the grooved forend. Someone must have taken a serious bath on them when they were purchased though, they have them priced at $1299 each! I want to point out that I've bought a bunch of them to include a LNIB 20ga and a prewar R 16ga for over $1000 each less than they want for their plain jane guns, but figure I'll just let them carry on collecting dust.

I recently bought a 37 1969 20g with 28" ribbed bbl-mod choke looks like it's never been shot for $275. I've put 4 boxes thru it--3 on clays and a bunch of #6 chasing pheasants fun stuff ! The Win 12's sell for more and there is a pristine 1950's 16 g right now all original for $500 for sale for the last month or two no one is touching. If I didn't already own 3 20g guns I would pick it up. I think the value in the guns is there though have you seen the prices of the new Ithacas?

I recently purchased (online auction) a model 37 16 ga. 26" i.c. which IMO is a better grouse gun (ruffed grouse) due to a bit more open choke. It's about an 80% cond. gun. no cracks, decent bluing left on it. paid $345 purchase price, $20.00 shipping & $25 ffl fee. Any "internet" gun is spendier than need be. This is a 1953 vintage m-37. Anything over $300 in a local gun store for an m-37 better be "pristine."