Ithaca 37

The Ithaca 37 is a pump-action shotgun made in large numbers for the civilian, military, and police markets. Also known as the Featherlight, it utilizes a novel combination ejection/loading port on the bottom of the gun which leaves the sides closed to the elements. In addition, the outline of the gun is clean. Finally, since shells load and eject from the bottom, operation of the gun is equally convenient from either side of the gun. This makes the gun popular with left-handed and right-handed shooters alike.

General Statistics

Type: manually operated, pump-action
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 2 3/4 inch (3 inch is scarce)
Length: 1003 mm
Barrel length: varies
Weight: 3.06 kg empty
Capacity: 4 rounds in underbarrel tube magazine (7 on certain models)

History

Designed by the famous fireams designers John Browning and John Pedersen, the gun was initially marketed as the Remington Model 17. The Model 17 was a 20-gauge weapon of trim proportions, later redesigned and refined into the popular Model 31. That gun would later be replaced in production by the excellent Remington 870 which is still produced to this day.

Following the First World War, the Ithaca Gun Company was searching for a pump-action shotgun to produce, primarily to compete with the Winchester Model 12. They settled on waiting for the Remington Model 17 patents to expire. After gearing for production of the Ithaca model 33, they discovered more Pedersen patents that would not expire until 1937; they changed the model designation from 33 to 37.

With the depression dragging on and war looming on the horizon, it was possibly the worst time to introduce a sporting arm. That this shotgun survived World War II is a testament to the soundness of the design. Many sporting arms ceased production entirely during the same period. While Ithaca did produce some shotguns for Military use during the war, they also produced M1911 pistols and M3 Grease Guns.

After WW-II, Ithaca resumed production of the Model 37. Made in many different models, the Ithaca 37 has the longest production run for a pump-action shotguns in history, surpassing that of the Winchester Model 12 that had originally inspired Ithaca to produce shotguns. Ithaca has suffered many setbacks in its history changing hands numerous times. At one time, the Ithaca 37 was renamed the Model 87 although it was soon changed back. Production continued until 2005 when Ithaca halted operations temporarily and the company once again changed hands. Currently, the company is being reorganized in Ohio.

Users

The largest single user outside the US Military is the Los Angeles Police Department. Numerous other users include military, police, security agencies, and prisons. The Ithaca 37 was a popular choice among civilians for both sport and personal protection. With higher prices for new Ithaca's and lower availability than the competing Mossberg 500 and Remington 870, use of the Ithaca 37 continued to decline. Interestingly, Ithaca's downfall was hastened by the same situation that brought it to fruition in the first place. Chinese copies of the Ithaca 37 (and Remington 870) have been imported recently. Additionally, the supply of used civilian and departmental shotguns has been a steady competitor. Combined with a lack of modernization in production methods, Ithaca simply could not compete.

Military versions of the Ithaca 37 with a duckbill choke attachment were used in limited numbers during the Vietnam War by US Navy Seals. This device constricted the shot pattern from the top and bottom, spreading it into a horizontal oval. It arguably increased effectiveness in close range engagements against multiple targets. Two major disadvantages plagued the system. One was erratic patterning. The second was that the shot would spread too quickly providing a very limited effective zone.

Operation

Loading the Ithaca 37 involves inserting shells of the proper gauge through the loading port and pushing them forward into the magazine until retained by the shell stop. The slide release is pressed and the slide retracted completely then pushed forward. The safety must be in the off position. Pulling the trigger fires the gun and releases the slide for reloading. On most models, holding the trigger down allows the gun to fire the instant a new round is cycled into the chamber.

Versions

There are versions too numerous to mention. Here are two popular models:

Ultralite: an aluminum receiver variation
Deerslayer: a version with a shortened barrel and rifle-style sighting system
DSPS: for Deerslayer Police Special. A military and police version

References

Fawcett, Bill. Hunters & Shooters, An Oral History of the U.S. Navy SEALS in Vietnam. NY: Avon Books, 1995. ISBN 0-380-72166-X, pp. 79-80, especially.
Snyder, Walter C. Ithaca Featherlight Repeaters, The Best Gun Going. NC: Cook and Uline Pub, 1998. ISBN 0962946915