Opinions on Ithica Model 37

[cowtownscout]

U.S. ITHICA MODEL 37 Viet Nam War TRENCH GUN

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/695058723

[scosgt]

My opinion is FAKE

[Ironlip]

No first hand experience with these, only from books. The serial number range is the one mentioned in Canfield, but the US is different from the one pictured in his book. The one in Bruce's book has periods after the letters and the letters are larger than the Ithaca anvil stamped below them. The Gunbroker gun has smaller letters without periods that look a lot like the correct letters for a WWI Winchester Trench or Riot gun. Those stamps are now readily available from Numrich and other suppliers which explains why now nearly every alleged WWI Trench Gun you see for sale has those letters, whereas they used to be less common.

Likewise, the "P" mark on the Gunbroker gun has serifs and appears larger than the example in Canfield's book. That said, the picture in the book does not show the "P" head on, so I may be wrong about that. Again, those stamps are readily available.

Finally, the handguard/bayonet adapter has the drawing number stamp found on Winchester Model 12 Trench Guns. Those may not be unique to Winchesters. I presume the drawing number came from the DOD so maybe Ithaca used those too.

At any rate, I generally agree with my more pithy fellow collector above. I don't think the gun is real for the reasons I've given.

[scosgt]

US markings are wrong
Should not have the anvil
Should not have drawing numbers
Plugged front sight hole can be seen if you look carefully
But the BIG one:
ALL WWII Trench guns and ALL known VN Trench AND Riot guns are solid frame. There are no interrupted threads, the barrel has to screw all the way in and out.
You can't fake that.

[scosgt]

Here are pictures and info an real VN Ithaca shotguns

http://www.jouster2.com/forums/showthread.php?56834-Say-hello-to-my-new-little-friend&highlight=Ithaca+VietNam

[SPEEDGUNNER]

It is the rare ITHICA not the more commonly seen (and real) ITHACA Model 37. You know it is a genuine ITHICA because it has the modified Winchester 1200 adaptor.

[scosgt]

It is the rare ITHICA not the more commonly seen (and real) ITHACA Model 37. You know it is a genuine ITHICA because it has the modified Winchester 1200 adaptor.

Now that's just mean. We are going to tear down your statues.

[cowtownscout]

Thanks you have confirmed what I thought