Another Ithaca m37 question

I am new to the forum, looks like a lot of knowledge here. I have several questions about the ww2 Ithaca trench gun. I have Bruce Canfields book, and have done many online searches that have not yielded any answers. First question: in ww2 what units or military branch deployed the m37. Second, how many of those weapons survived to be sent to Korea. Third of the ones that survived Korea, how many of them made to Vietnam? The reason for these questions is I came across a gun with mismatched numbers, both the barrel and receiver fall in the correct data listed in Bruce's book, receiver was in the first shipment, barrel in the second. The barrel though has a very well installed A&W shot diverter on it, so I was wondering if the barrel had possibly been from a recycled weapon. Any and all information on these questions would be appreciated, also, any information on the A&W shot diverter would be appreciated as well. Thanks

Pics of this one would help?

I am not sure how to submit pictures, but will do my best, thanks

Attachment 110857Attachment 110858Attachment 110859Attachment 110860

So, it was a proper trench before. Yes, they were overhauled at unit level and reused. The numbers of survival, not sure anyone can actually quote those but there were lots left in RVN after the war and they ended up being shipped back to the USA a couple decades back. There was everything from as new guns to strictly parts and scrappers. Apparently all models were available. I have my doubts that this mod was military. The barrel should show a serial number as well...

Yes, the barrel is numbered, it falls into the second Ithaca shipment in ww2. I thought the diverted was added by an individual but wasn’t sure, what I could find on the S&W diverters were from the mid to late 60’s to early 70,s, the 70’s model has a patent number on them the earlier ones have patent pending, this particular one has pending. I had read where the usaf was experimenting with the a&w but no other info

If you hang on there are others that will be along to help...

Absolutely, and thanks for the info.

If you can provide the serial numbers of the receiver and barrel I may be able to tell you exactly when they shipped from the factory and in what configuration.

Receiver: 57808 Barrel: 61274

Looks like you have a mismatched trench gun. Both the receiver and the barrel were shipped as trench guns. 57808 was shipped in late June 1942, and 61274 was shipped in early July 1942.

Thanks, I thought that was the case. I’m hoping someone can chime in on what units deployed them and if any of those surviving weapons made it to Vietnam.

From what I have read, with mismatched numbers the gun is basically worthless as a collector item, plus its in pretty rough shape. So my plan is to refinish it into its former trench configuration. I’m still hoping on some information on the A&W shot diverter that’s installed on the barrel, its definitely a professional installation, I had read that the duckbills were used in Vietnam, and the A&W came out in the mid to late 60,s. So, I’m wondering if the barrel came off of a recycled ww2 trench and modified for use in Vietnam. If that’s the case I would leave it in its current configuration and go from there