Up until this time, the Ithaca Gun Company, located in western New York, was known for finely crafted double-barreled sporting smoothbores and superb single-barreled competition shotguns. One of the most unlikely-yet obvious-candidates to carry on the effectiveness of an open-choked, short-barreled shotgun for close-range military use was the Ithaca Model 37, which, sharing a link with the Model 97, was based on the Remington Model 17, both John M. The Model 1897 went on to fight in World War II, but by then guns and parts were wearing out and replacement armament was needed. The weapon was so devastating, the German government unsuccessfully petitioned to get it banned from combat. The United States Army had been using smoothbore shotguns since the Revolutionary War, although the formidable weapon didn’t come into its own until World War I with the introduction of the Winchester Model 1897 “trench sweeper,” a 12 gauge, 20-inch-barreled pump-action scattergun. Though not nearly as famous as the Winchester Model 1897, Ithaca’s Model 37 served with distinction in multiple conflicts.
Ithaca Model 37, trench gun, riot gun, Ithaca, shotgun Neither had heat shields, both were pump guns with 20" barrels and slings like the Ithaca pictured above. I remember seeing a few, (damn few!) trench guns in Viet Nam in '69-'70, maybe two, and I don't remember what they were. Pictured above is the Ithaca Trench Gun as issued in Viet Nam. According to Canfield the WWII M37 Trench Gun is one of the most sought after martial shotguns only challenged by the Remington Model 10 Trench Gun. I do not know if anyone knows the exact number of WWII M37 Trench Guns left in existence, but the number must be small.
As the M37 was not part of what was kept by the military after the war their numbers dwindled accordingly. There is also hope on the horizon for some Winchester pumps too.Īs for the WWII Ithaca M37 Trench Gun, depending on who you read (Canfield, Poyer, etc.) there were between 14 Ithaca Trench Guns built during the war. At the moment I'm working on a 1970 vintage M37. I do find myself gathering guns and parts to assemble into a fake or reproduction/clone Trench Gun. I'd love to have any number of said shotguns, but am poor and can't seem to see myself spending thousands of dollars on something that should be in a museum.
I spend way too much time pouring over every bit of information I can get my hands on regarding martial shotguns and they are in my dreams. We make no guarantee as to the authenticity of all of the aforementioned markings.Imagine just about everybody would love to have some kind of Trench Gun, myself included. Swearengen with the caption: "Right side of an Ithaca Model 37 reportedly made for Army Special Forces". A nearly identical Ithaca Model 37 trench gun is illustrated on page 267 of "The Worlds Fighting Shotguns" by Thomas F. The significance of these markings is unknown.
The right side of the bayonet adapter is stamped with "SP-30-06".
#VIETNAM WAR ITHACA 37 SHOTGUN SERIAL#
The serial number, "371369484", is stamped on the lower right side of the receiver above the trigger guard, with "USSF" is stamped on the lower left side of the receiver. The black plastic buttplate has impressed checkering and the Ithaca logo in the center. The stock pistol grip and wrist have impressed checkering. The stock and forearm are walnut with a military oil finish. The barrel and receiver have a gray parkerized finish. The Ithaca "Roto-Forged" logos are stamped on the right side of the barrel and receiver. The barrel is fitted with a WWII pattern six-hole heat shield with the bayonet adapter that is fitted with sling swivels on the and on the buttstock. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line Ithaca legend followed by "CYL" and a "P" proofmark, with a second "P" stamped on the left side of the receiver near the barrel. This is an Ithaca Model 37 riot gun with trench handguard attachment and "USSF" stamped on the lower left side of the receiver.
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