See those rifle sights on the barrel? That makes it a Deerslayer. Also take a look at the left side of the barrel, near the receiver.

It's an Ithaca Model 37. Under new ownership, they changed the name to Model 87 in 1987, then new smarter owners changed the name back. They're all exactly the same (except for a design change hiccup in 1977, most guns repaired by the factory).

The receiver is exactly the same as the Model 37 Featherlight, the exact name that came on the box... someone here will know.

Anyone looking to purchase that gun knows it's an Ithaca Model 37 Deerslayer. They sell at auction for between about $240 to $440 then the buyer pays $50 and $20 FFL fees.

Back in the day, they were a deer hunting revolution in smooth bore shotguns.
Rifled barrels were introduced around 1988 and that was another revolution that's now a must-have for a serious slug shooting shotgun.

Mostly people that want cool old "home defense" shotguns like them. But they'll still put a big ol slug in a deer in close woods hunting situations.

 

thank you for all the information. I appreciate it.

 

I don’t know about the engraving but the barrel is in fact a deerslayer barrel. Barrel could be original or it could have been replaced. Either way I would consider it a deer slayer. If the barrel is rifled, I would consider that more useful vs the older smoothbore if you are going to use it for deer hunting. As to value, I would say $250-500.
Good luck.
John

 

I don’t know about the engraving but the barrel is in fact a deerslayer barrel. Barrel could be original or it could have been replaced. Either way I would consider it a deer slayer. If the barrel is rifled, I would consider that more useful vs the older smoothbore if you are going to use it for deer hunting. As to value, I would say $250-500.
Good luck.
John

thank you. It’s a smoothbore barrel. I offered 400.00 including several boxes of ammo. We’ll see what he decides now.

 

I have never seen a Model 37 without the engraved scene. Even the military version were engraved.

 

The Executive Model did not have any engraving. But Had Supreme stocks.
Only 1000 were made, I've seen only 4 examples, that includes mine!
And the wood is OUTSTANDING!!

 

The parkerized extended magazine versions (M&P) do not have engraved receivers.

 

If you are looking for a slug gun, it would be a good gun for shooting rifled slugs. With a cylinder bore barrel, they are not much good for hunting or target shooting with bird shot.

 

I have an 870 Wingmaster with a rifled barrel. I usually hunt with my rifles now but when I saw this Ithaca I really liked it. Probably for nostalgia too, as my uncle hunted with one when I was a kid.

 

You can't put a price on old family memories. But $400 and some ammo seems like a fair price and value.

As a boy visiting my grandparents' house in Northern Pa., I remember sorting through the ammunition in the bottom cupboard of the gun cabinet. The best smelling stuff in the world is old used paper shotgun shells. I still remember the Remington/Peters "punkin balls" ammunition. Just a round musket ball in a paper hull.

My dad explained the balls were not very accurate, but in the woods, he and his dad and uncles took plenty of deer at less than 25 yards and they did the job. That would have been the late '40s and 50's. Maybe earlier, but my dad would not have remembered. Those iron sights were a big deal, back in the day.

My love for the Model 37 started in my dad's old bedroom, where I stayed when visiting my grandmother as a six year old. The pictures engraved in the receiver still make me happy. My dad explained that 16 gauge, like his, was the gentleman's gun. Not too small and not too big, perfect for grouse hunting. He said pheasant hunting, like shown in the engraving, was for fellas who didn't live up in the hills.

Well, maybe that's why I have a dog, and why I think of my dad every time we step into the field. Priceless.

If I was looking for a ranch gun, something to deal with raccoons in the trash or at the chicken coop... what a classy old thing to keep high on the kitchen shelf near the back door!

 

I don’t recall if I ever shot paper shells. I remember my dad had some when I was a kid though. The smell of any spent shell though is something I love. Brings back great memories.

 

The stock is cracked on that gun. Be sure to have it repaired by someone who knows what they’re doing. Don’t fire it until that’s been completed. I have the same gun. They shoot better than a lot of people
Think. Try a few different brands of rifles slugs and stick with what shoots best, obviously. I’ve killed many deer with mine. They don’t go far if they go at all, that is if you do your part. I put one of those slugs clean through both doors of a 65 Chevy impala.

 

You have good eyes! The guy who owns the gun called me this morning and said he wanted 450.00 which included a fair amount of both slugs, buck and birdshot. All 80s and 90s vintage ammo. I stopped by to look the gun over better. I then noticed the cracked stock. I didn’t notice that crack when I first looked at the gun. I told him 450.00 was high considering it had the crack, which to me looks like it’s been repaired but I’m not positive. For now he’s decided he will gift the gun to a grandson which I said probably would be the best thing to do.
I ended up purchasing a bunch of Remington core lokt 30-06 ammo from him and six boxes of Remington sluggers. I won’t be hunting with that ammo but will use it for some much needed practice and trigger time.
thanks to all who provided insight and passed on some info to me. Much appreciated.

 

There are plenty of these guns for sale, you’ll find a nice one. And I hope he gets it fixed properly before giving it to his grandson.

 

I think the Ithaca Deerslayer is now officially on my list of guns I’d like to add to my small collection.