
S-Prefix US Vietnam War Ithaca 37 Featherlight 20″ 12 GA Riot Gun, 1963 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,732.00
WOA#: WY240610GS004
Make: Ithaca
Model: 37 Featherlight, Vietnam War Contract Riot Gun
Serial Number: S23268
Year of Manufacture: 1962-1963 (the 1962-1963 government contract covered serial numbers S 1000 – S 23,499, completed 1/18/1963)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″
Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “ITHACA GUN CO., INC., ITHACA, N.Y. – MODEL 37 / FEATHERLIGHT USE 12 GA – 2 3/4 SHELLS ONLY – MADE IN U.S.A.” and “CYL”. The top-left of the barrel at the rear and top-left of the receiver at the front are each marked “P”, the right of the receiver is marked “U.S.”. The right of the barrel is marked “S23268”, the front face of the receiver to the right of the barrel is marked “S / 23268”. The heel of the buttplate has been hand-scribed with what could be “LCB”, “LCR”, “LOB” or “LOR”.
Barrel Length: 20”
Choke: Cylinder Bore
Sights / Optics: There is a bead mounted to the front of the bayonet lug assembly. The barrel is drilled for a bead underneath.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece walnut set with grooved forend, smooth pistol grip, straight comb, and serrated black plastic Ithaca buttplate. The forend has a few scattered light marks and some scuffing toward the left-front. The buttstock has scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are thin grain-line cracks at the front edges of the wrist on each side. . The LOP measures 14″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with the serrations compressed in the center. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: The gun’s finish is Original, the bayonet lug/heat shield assembly is not original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is infrequent minor no erosion, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear, most notable on the magazine tube and action-bar. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots (see Box, Paperwork & Accessories). The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun ejects out the bottom of the receiver. It can be slam-fired. 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: The installed 6-row, 29-hole Ithaca-style bayonet lug/heat shield assembly is included. The middle mounting screw is stripped, the threads of the bayonet lug are intact. Also included is an M1917 pattern bayonet and scabbard. The guard is marked with a “CA” monogram and “US M1917”. There are no markings on the blade. The blade shows light wear from insertion/removal in the scabbard and sharpening.
Our Assessment: The Ithaca 37 enjoys a good reputation for its durability, ambidextrous ejection design, smooth action and of course for being one of few pump shotguns which can be “slam-fired”, meaning that with the trigger depressed, pushing the slide handle forward and locking the action will allow the chambered round to be fired without needing to reset the trigger. In addition to seeing use by bird and deer hunters for generations, the Model 37 has served in WWII, the Vietnam War and in countless law enforcement agencies across the country.
This example was produced in 1963 as part of a US Government contract to supply Riot guns to US forces in Vietnam. Previously, some 22,000 Ithaca 37 Riot guns had been delivered to the South Vietnamese for their armed forces. As direct US military involvement in the conflict became more certain, a contract wiht a special “S”-prefix serial range was issued for American forces. This gun falls into this serial range, but has been converted to the Trench-Gun style, with a 6-row ventilated handguard/bayonet lug installed. The assembly is proper for an Ithaca Trench-Gun, but it is likely that the conversion was performed after leaving military service, most notably as the stock is lacking the rear sling swivel. The included bayonet installs properly, and boy does that make for a great looking piece! The gun is in Very Good-plus condition with the great majority of its parkerized finish remaining, a bright bore, and great mechanics. This would be a great gun for an Ithaca collector or a military shotgun collector as a placeholder for an issued Trench-Gun or to restore to its original Riot configuration. If the collectors don’t snap it up, it will still serve as a great defensive shotgun and host for its M1917 bayonet. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
