Ithaca Model 37 Featherlite 12 Ga. 20” Pump Riot Shotgun MFD 1981-1988
SOLD FOR: $1,185.00
LSB#: LSB250524RJ012
Make: Ithaca
Model: Model 37 Featherlight D.S. Police Special
Serial Number: 371738711
Year of Manufacture: 1981-1988 (https://ithacagun.com/serial-numbers/)
Gauge: 12 Gauge 2 3/4” Chamber
Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “D.S. POLICE SPECIAL / MODEL 37 – FEATHERLIGHT – 12 GA – 2 ¾ CHAMBER – PROOF TESTED / ITHACA GUN CO.INC, ITHACA N.Y.- MADE IN USA – ROTO FORGED”. The right side of the receiver is marked “371738711”.
Barrel Length: 20”
Choke: Improved Cylinder, Fixed
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fiberoptic triangle atop a raised platform at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a height-adjustable square notch. Clearly, this has been sighted with slugs in mind.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with semi-pistol grip, straight comb, stipled hard rubber buttplate, and corrugated round pump grip. The LOP measures about 14 ¼ ” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. There are numerous pressure marks consistent with operational wear. Overall, the stocks are in a Very Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mirror-bright. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates a 10/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are some scattered scuffs, nicks, and scratches. There is some operation wear on the mag tube and action bar. There is thinning on the leading edges. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun ejects out the bottom of the receiver. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Ithaca Model 37 Featherlight Police Special in 12GA is a riot gun with a venerable history in WWII and Vietnam. It has a bottom-eject action, beneficial for both right and left-handed users. The barrel is typically equipped with an improved cylinder choke that provides a wide, even spread ideal for the close-range targets.
It is based on a 1915 patent by John Browning and originally produced in 1937 by the Ithaca Arms Company. It has the longest production run of any pump-action in history — even surpassing the revered WInchester Model 12. More than two million examples have been produced.
While one could hunt with this weapon, it is crafted with a singular purpose — close to medium range personal defense. It would be outstanding as a home defense arm, coupling easy handling of a short barrel with the reliability of a pump with the lethality of a 12 Gauge. It is mechanically very tight and does not appear to have been shot a lot.
Please see our photos of this very traditional firearm. -C.B.
