The Venerable Ithaca Model 37

Good News! Ithaca Gun Company Is Now Manufacturing Guns In Ohio.

By: Gunengraver Posted: August 27, 2007

As an engraver, I have always had a fondness for the venerable Ithaca Gun Model 37.
In my youth, I hunted in dense deep woods and abandoned farmlands between Lake Ontario and the Adirondack Mountains in Northern NY. I found the Model 37 to be the perfect hunting implement when snap shooting was a requirement to harvest game.
My old 12 gauge Parker Bros. hammer gun had a natural line of sight down those two long and heavy barrels that seemed almost as "pointable" as a Colt S.A.A.. I did okay as a kid hunting by myself, but when my childhood friend Jim Booth came along as my hunting partner, things changed. Jim always came with his father's Ithaca Model 37 Featherweight. Before I could pull back the hammers on my double, Jim would nail whatever came our way with the Model 37.
I still hunt with my bird dog Pip, and I have gotten a little older and slower. I still hunt exclusively with my model 37. These days I seem to enjoy engraving these guns as much as I hunt with them.
As the Engraver for Ithaca Gun Company in King Ferry,NY. I was deeply disappointed, as were many, when the company could no longer keep its doors opened in New York State and ceased operations. I bit the bullet so to speak, and resolved to engrave a few high grade Perazzi trap guns and Tony Galazan's Parker Reproductions. Other work came from an old firm in Great Britain. They needed silver accoutrements engraved for presentation pieces for PM Tony Blair. The Prime Minister used these engravings for gifts to visiting Heads of State. Interesting, but not my favorite work.
Fortunately, within a year, I heard indications within the gun community that Ithaca Gun would again arise in the beautiful small town of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. It made sense to me. Why wouldn't a manufacturer build some of the finest American Guns that were ever made?
Receiving two commissions from Ithaca Gun in Ohio was an exciting day. The engraving one can give a customer's Model 37 is far and away superior to engraving a double. Engraving a curved surface can take up to three times longer than the flat sides of the Model 37. Engraving tiny birds on the side plate on a LC Smith cannot compare to the expansive area available to an artist on the Ithaca Model 37. Compare a Parker Bros. floor plate with the sides of the Ithaca at http://www.stephenolin.com/IthacaGunOhio.html
All serious artists want to look their best and for me, the Model 37 is a good friend.
With Ithaca Gun engravings in hand, I decided to deliver my favorite engraved guns in person to Ithaca Gun in Sandusky Ohio. Not that far from my shop in Oswego, NY, it was a worthwhile experience. Certainly worth the pleasant 7 hour drive.
On the highway I noticed the slightly different landscape in Ohio compared to Upstate NY. It's flatter out west and the Silos look a little different. I was glad that I studied Ohio landscapes before I engraved the flushing pheasant on Ohio farmland.
Arriving at Ithaca Gun to meet Craig and Larry Marshall, I witnessed three brand new C&C machines being installed. Brand new barrels and receivers manufactured on-site were aplenty. Realistic plans for other models are in the works.
Men who knew their work were taking advantage of an opportunity to manufacture American guns. It was a heartening experience.
If you need a Model 37 factory engraved, you would do well to contact Ithaca Gun at (419)294-2989. Ask for Matt Marshall.
You can view a large detailed image of the delivered Model 37 at http://www.gunslot.com/pictures/ithaca-guns-model-37-perfect-engravers-c...