Model 37 ITHACA "Bump in the Night" Riot Shotgun

[Capt Quahog]

Sometime in the mid-1990s, I acquired a Model 37 Ithaca police trade-in riot shotgun. Word was, that it came out of the Portland Maine Police Department. As I recall, the barrel is something like 19-inches long with the gun being parkerized and having sling swivels. By the serial number, that Model 37 dates to the 1960s and has the "non-disconnect" (I think that's what it's called?) feature.

For years now, the Ithaca M37 has been stashed in our master bedroom as a "Bump in the Night" gun. There are three riot type shotguns, along with a couple of basic revolvers hidden in readily accessible places within this 2,800 sq. foot house. We've had some "Bump in the Night" activity here with the bumpers leaving footprints in the snow. At least once, they tried to pry open a back sliding door. . . . while I was in the house. Without my knowing it, they were spooked away when I came upstairs from the underground basement bunker below for a snack in the kitchen. Needless to say, an opportunity was missed that night to try out the old Ithaca Model 37 non-disconnect feature.

My question is . . . Would this be the same type of Model 37 shotgun as manufactured and purchased by the military from the 1940s - through the 1960s? Looks in photos like the same weapon carried by U.S. troops and Navy personnel in various wars.

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[lboos]

Capt. This brings back mem's. of a Hero of mine from the Great state of Texas about a year ago, [Ole two shot's two Kill's] Mr. Horn.

[jjroth]

Is it located on the right-side,narrow front face of the receiver and DOES the barrel have a SN? Is it the same Number?

If yes answers the last question, GOOD. If not then visit a smith and have the headspace checked as the pre-855,000 frames had the barrel individually mated and chamber to that receiver. Also, it uses the old style barrel thread, that preclude use of current barrels.
There are two options, buy a current barrel from a vendor /auction, then have the threads modified to mate with the old receiver, there is a retired Ithaca smith runs a shop in Ithaca, NY that will do this.
Or contact the new IthacaUSA, in Upper Sandusky, Oh., they have a new system for the old receiver.

If the SN is on the right side of receiver above the trigger & guard, then your okay, and can use any barrel. (Note: late production barrels do not have SN's on them)
With exception of the above, YES, 1940's production is the same as the late production.

[Capt Quahog]

As mentioned. . . this M37 is a former Portland Maine police department weapon that was a trade-in, during the mid-1990s. Believe that it was manufactured sometime in the 1960s - 1970s. Thanks for the replies!