Ithaca 37 WWII? Nam era???

[Tom Doniphon]

You are correct about the date of mfg. (i.e., 1965).

It's not martially marked; it's not in the correct serial number range; and it was a long barreled gun. So it's not a Vietnam era US Military contract shotgun. It's a commercial Model 37.

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[Jim]

You are correct about the date of mfg. (i.e., 1965).

It's not martially marked; it's not in the correct serial number range; and it was a long barreled gun. So it's not a Vietnam era US Military contract shotgun. It's a commercial Model 37.

Actually, we're both mistaken about the date. I went back and looked again. 1965 is a 6 place number. My serial is a 5 place. But it gets stickier there. Assuming the model 37 standard column, the serial numbers run to 1943- 63001 - 69999, (63,001 - 69,999) then there's a gap to 1946 which runs 92000 - 115350 (92,000 - 115,350) So mine 90241 (90,241) seems to fall smack into in that blank zone. What goes on there? I figured Ithaca was involved in other weapons production for WWII. But how then my shotgun???? The gap in numbers run 70,000 - (90,241)- 91,999.

Is there any knowledge of war time production of model 37s?

[Jim]

Heck! Now that I've posted this I seem to be doing everything I should have done first. Just paint me DUH!
Anywayyy...

I wrote Ithaca Guns. Even though under new ownership, there is a continuity with the ould company. They replied (in less than an hour I might add). Here's what they sent.
Ithaca Gun Company Customer Service to me

Dear Jim,
During WWII, Ithaca was focused on producing the Model 1911 A1 Pistol for the U. S. Military. Ithaca did produce Model 37’s between 1944 and 1945, but they were not kept track of as far as the serial numbers. Your Model 37 would have been manufactured between 1944 and 1945.
Thank You for contacting Ithaca Gun Company

So there we have it.