My dad bought a Winchester model 12 right after he got out of the army in 1947. It was a 16 gauge and I wanted a 16 too. For Christmas 1959 he bought me an Ithaca 37, 16. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Married my college sweetheart in 63 and a year later her a-hole brother broke into my house and stole all my guns. He fenced them to some pawn shop and I never saw them again. Hated that chit head to this day. Have owned quite a few 16's since then plus still have a couple of 37 16 gauges. Always wanted a really nice 16 double and last year fell into a beautiful Parker 16. Besides my wife and kids it's the love of my life.
