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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,597 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,597 Likes: 3 |
I got this one around 10 yrs ago from Collectors Firearms in Houston. It's a first year 20 with solid rib. The barrel was rust blued, the receiver hot blued. You can look closely and tell the difference. The metal was as is, the wood was a mess. Paid $275. I reworked the wood, recut the checkering. Interestingly discovered that the forearm was 18 lpi, the stock 20 lpi. The only explanation I could find was the concept of a cottage industry like in Spain, where piece work was farmed out. So, I guess different workers checkered the forearm and stock. It has a Deluxe Polychoke, which at first was a turn off. Even thought about cutting it and installing choke tubes. But the gun is light and I was concerned that it may be too "whippy" without the Polychoke. Besides Polychokes were vintage and the gun is vintage. It has grown on me. I changed the pitch of the butt plate, not liking the original as much as my Browning Superlight. So the Ithaca now mimics the Superlight. I was criticized on another forum for altering a first year 20 ga. stock. I replied if the gun was valuable, it wouldn't have sold for $275 from a major dealer. I sorta see his point, as these original stocks are hard to find. But, the gun suits me and altering it didn't bother me nearly as much as it bothered him. DF [img] https://i.imgur.com/ANOGWim.jpg?1[/img] [img] https://i.imgur.com/l1qqzfd.jpg?1[/img] [img] https://i.imgur.com/rCWt44T.jpg?1[/img] That is about perfect.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,238 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,238 Likes: 11 |
I got this one around 10 yrs ago from Collectors Firearms in Houston. It's a first year 20 with solid rib. The barrel was rust blued, the receiver hot blued. You can look closely and tell the difference. The metal was as is, the wood was a mess. Paid $275. I reworked the wood, recut the checkering. Interestingly discovered that the forearm was 18 lpi, the stock 20 lpi. The only explanation I could find was the concept of a cottage industry like in Spain, where piece work was farmed out. So, I guess different workers checkered the forearm and stock. It has a Deluxe Polychoke, which at first was a turn off. Even thought about cutting it and installing choke tubes. But the gun is light and I was concerned that it may be too "whippy" without the Polychoke. Besides Polychokes were vintage and the gun is vintage. It has grown on me. I changed the pitch of the butt plate, not liking the original as much as my Browning Superlight. So the Ithaca now mimics the Superlight. I was criticized on another forum for altering a first year 20 ga. stock. I replied if the gun was valuable, it wouldn't have sold for $275 from a major dealer. I sorta see his point, as these original stocks are hard to find. But, the gun suits me and altering it didn't bother me nearly as much as it bothered him. DF [img] https://i.imgur.com/ANOGWim.jpg?1[/img] [img] https://i.imgur.com/l1qqzfd.jpg?1[/img] [img] https://i.imgur.com/rCWt44T.jpg?1[/img] That is about perfect. Thanks. I sorta lucked up on that one. It is a great gun, handles as good as it looks. 1939 was first year the 20 ga. was produced. They sorta get slick after 82 years or so. Note the smaller Pre-war trigger guard. DF
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,238 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,238 Likes: 11 |
Current mfg. Ohio 28 ga. vs. 1939 37R, 20 ga. The older gun seems to have more drop, but they handle about the same. I don't really like the looks of the Ohio pistol grip, but they handle well. The larger, tighter pistol grip isn't as sleek, IMO. New gun isn't as smooth as the older one, but works well. Maybe after 80 yrs or so, it'll be as slick. Doubt I'll be around to confirm DF.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,238 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,238 Likes: 11 |
New gun actually has nicer wood. When I got it, it had too much dark coloring in the checkering, didn't match the forearm. So, I re-cut the stock checkering, forearm untouched. To me, they match better. I also replaced the OEM pad with a thinner one. Seems to handle better for me. DF
Last edited by Dirtfarmer; 10/28/21.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,336
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,336 |
Always liked the 37's, never owned one but liked them none the less. Always thought the bottom eject was cool
I may not be smart but I can lift heavy objects
I have a shotgun so I have no need for a 30-06.....
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,238 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,238 Likes: 11 |
Always liked the 37's, never owned one but liked them none the less. Always thought the bottom eject was cool Good deal for South Paws. Just reverse the safety and you're good to go. My Ohio gun throws empties way forward, the old gun, straight down. DF
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,336
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,336 |
I shot left handed back when I was in my teens. I am left handed and that is why I really liked them so much. I had an 870 and my best friend was also left handed and he had the 37. I would come in after shooting with streaks of black on my face from hulls hitting my check after shooting my 870. He was a much better shot than I was until one day he said "which is your dominate eye"? After checking we found out that I was right eyed so after changing the world around and starting to shoot right handed the 870 was not so bad. I was not such a bad shot after I practiced a little right handed either. After all that, I still loved to shoot his 37.
I may not be smart but I can lift heavy objects
I have a shotgun so I have no need for a 30-06.....
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