Ithaca Skb Model 900

[Líbera Oehlenschlage]

TheIthaca 37, also known as the Ithaca Model 37, is a pump-action shotgun made in large numbers for the civilian, law enforcement and military markets. Based on a 1915 patent by firearms designer John Browning for a shotgun initially marketed as the Remington Model 17, it utilizes a novel combination ejection/loading port on the bottom of the gun which leaves the sides closed to the elements.

With the depression dragging on and another war looming on the horizon, it was possibly the worst time to introduce a sporting arm. 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 submachine guns.

After World War 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 shotgun in history, surpassing that of the Winchester Model 12, the original inspiration for Ithaca's entry into the market. Ithaca has suffered many setbacks in its history and changed hands numerous times. At one time, the Ithaca 37 was renamed the Model 87, although it was soon changed back in one of many ownership changes. Production paused in 2005 when Ithaca once again changed hands. Production has resumed in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

The Model 37 was used by the United States Armed Forces in World War II,[5] the Korean War, and especially the Vietnam War, where it gained a great reputation for reliability in the jungles of Vietnam when generally used by special and special operations forces like the Navy SEALs[6] and Army Green Berets.[7]The largest single users outside the US Military were the New York City Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department. The NYPD used 2 versions of the Model 37: one with a 13-inch (33 cm) barrel with forend hand-strap for its Emergency Service Unit and one with an 18-inch (46 cm) barrel for its Highway Patrol and solo patrol officers of designated low-crime precincts through a short-lived program spanning from the late 1970s to early 1980s. The Model 37 was issued by the LAPD beginning in the early 1940s and remained in service until the late 1990s. Other users include the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and various military, police, and security agencies and prisons around the world. The Ithaca 37 remains a popular choice among civilians for both sport and personal protection. The Model 37 Featherlight has commonly been seen in the hands of farmers and hunters in the midwestern United States.

In preparation for the upcoming duck season, I spent part of my afternoon cleaning my old Ithaca Model 37 shotgun. I went to work removing the barrel and spraying down the cold steel. I repeated my routine a few times and gently laid the pieces back onto the cleaning mat. For a solid ten minutes I stared at the shotgun in quiet contemplation. Two previous generations of duck hunters owned and used this very shotgun. My grandfather used this shotgun a few years after World War II ended, then passed it along to my father, who shot his first turkey with the Ithaca M37. Now, years later, I am the keeper of future hunts and forthcoming memories of this vintage pump shotgun.

The Ithaca Model 37 Featherlight is chambered in three gauges: 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge. The 12 gauge, which is the model I carry, comes in at a hearty seven pounds. In comparison, the modern Ithaca Ultra Featherlight 20 gauge weighs a mere 5.75 pounds, which is a noticeable difference.

Perhaps the most unique feature of Ithaca shotguns is the bottom ejection port. The ejection port works double duty for the shotgun. Here the hunter may load either 2-3/4 inch or 3 inch shells. When the shotgun action is cycled, the spent shells will discharge from this same port.

The bottom ejection and loading port helps to maintain a clean barrel by protecting it from the weather and reducing the likelihood of rust. Snow, rain, and ice may be well-known companions in the duck blinds, but this feature helps to maintain a properly functioning firearm for many years to come. Our southpaw friends will appreciate the bottom ejection port on Ithaca shotguns because the spent shells will kick down and out, not across and into the face of a left-handed shooter.

We all appreciate free things, and I am eternally grateful to have been gifted my Ithaca shotgun. A diligent shopper will find old Model 37s on the secondhand market in a range of prices from $230 to $500 or more. Gun shops and pawn shops can be great places for treasure hunters and adventure seekers. I would encourage you to start here if you are at all curious about using old pump shotguns for waterfowl hunting. The cautious buyer must carefully consider condition prior to purchase.

Erin Woodward is a novice bird hunter. He was born and raised in Kansas where he currently resides with his wife and three children. Erin can be found during the fall and winter months venturing across the Great Plains in search of wild game. Spring and Summer are reserved for fly fishing for trout, and making the best homemade ice cream with his family. A member of Back Country Hunters and Anglers, he holds the value of public land access in great esteem for all hunters and adventure seekers alike. His hunting adventures are documented @pursuit_nature

Kristofer,

I am happy to read that you enjoyed the pleasure of shooting a Model 37. My apologies on not being more clear, in regards to shell length. Thank you again for reading. I hope one day you are able to pick up an old Ithaca for a hunt. Happy Hunting.

I can relate with this article. My dad gave me an Ithaca Model 37 12 gauge for my 13th birthday. That was 40 years ago!

I love the memories I have of hunting with my dad when I was a kid.

I still have the Model 37 in my safe.

In the interest of being fair, I have replaced more than one spring and nylon bushing in guns over the years, and this issue is not isolated to the model 51. These are wear-and-tear parts that commonly fail across the board and many companies make replacement parts for a reason.

The second is a new nylon bushing for the bolt. The old one was crumbling and I was loathed not to replace it. A quick order from Jack First Gun parts and I had a new bolt buffer bushing.

A machine shop said they might be able to do a proper mig weld on it but they were closed because of the pandemic. This was not looking promising. Since Ithaca no longer made the gun I was mostly stuck with a broken gun. So it sat broken for the better part of a year until the world turned a few times.

Hi, looks like you dis a great job repairing you ithaca 51. I have one and I have the same problem I already bought spring and buffers, but

Unfortunately the welding part I am stuck with it.

Would you mind helping me and will pay you I you do the welding part for me?.

Thanks for sharing your story. Please let me know.

Leo.

I also have 51 that was my grandfathers, I love it! Last year when I shot it on our annual skeet shoot, it would cycle all 3 shots wit one trigger pull. Needless to say I always hit the first skeet. Any ideas on what might be the problem?

Thanks

Brandon

You sir, gave me hope. I am going to order the buffers and spring and and soon as possible will get my hands on a flux welder and fix mine (mine is also broken on the link. But thanks to you, I shall prevail.

I shot an Ithaca 51 at International Skeet for almost two years and knew a couple of others who shot them even longer than that. I even talked to the designer, an old German named Tollinger, a couple of times. I never did fool with the magnum model.

I felt that the Ithaca was superior to the 1100 (its most direct competition at the time) in every possible way except one- you had to carry a wheelbarrow full of parts to keep the Ithaca running. Remember, I am comparing it to an 1100 and you had to carry at least a satchel of parts to keep that running. You can keep the Beretta gas guns running with a shirt pocket full of parts. Get the drift?

Started a new project today. I started on a similar model not too long ago like this one but never completed it:no:. I have pretty much the whole day to work on this so hopefully i can at least get the highpoly done.

The end result is going to be a game-ready midpoly model for use in a next-gen engine for a FPS game.

and another cycles render because well, its a golden shotgun. Who wouldnt want to see that? lol

wip_02_cycles.jpg19201080 184 KB

Thats all for now. I expect ill have the highpoly done by tonight then its on to the lowpoly.

polygobblerr

Anyway heres the newest render in Cycles.

I lowered the diffuse color and increased glossiness a bit but for some reason the metal still looks like a neutral gray.

lowpoly_cycles_final_post.jpg1440810 95.1 KB

I have an Ithaca Model 51 featherweight 20 gauge in my shop for repair. When you fire the shotgun the bolt does not move and eject the shell. The shell stays in the chamber. When you cycle the bolt to the rear it extracts and ejects the empty shell with no problem. Here is a list of the following actions I have taken.

1. Watched the shotgun expansion with Mr. Dunlap detailing the Ithaca model 51

2. Found that I was missing the gas cylinder retaining pin, fabricated my own and fixed that problem.

3. Removed gas cylinder piston and inspected it for burs damage etc., no damage. Cleaned gas piston.

4. Inspected gas cylinder, there was no damage and gas ports were lined up with gas ports in barrel. Discovered there was only one gas port hole in barrel. 5. Reconfirmed there was only one gas port in barrel by using a bore scope.

6. Scratched my head thinking the 20 gauge model only had one gas port drilled in barrel from factory, even though gas cylinder has two gas ports drilled in it.

7. Cleaned the one gas port in the barrel and gas cylinder and verified they lined up and had no obstructions.

8. Reassembled the gas system and shotgun. Test fired the shotgun with an estate low base 20 gauge shell. Once again met with negative results, no extraction or ejection.

9. Watched the Shotgun expansion with Mr. Dunlap again in case I missed something. This also met with negative results.

10. I checked the internet for the possibility someone else had the same problem, once again met with negative results.

3a8082e126