Production paused in 2005 when Ithaca once again changed hands. At one time, the Ithaca 37 was renamed the Model 87, although it was soon changed back in one of many ownership changes. Ithaca has suffered many setbacks in its history and changed hands numerous times. Made in many different models, the Ithaca 37 has the longest production run for a pump-action shotgun in history, surpassing that of the Winchester Model 12, the original inspiration for Ithaca's entry into the market. While Ithaca did produce some shotguns for military use during the war, they also produced M1911 pistols and M3 submachine guns.Īfter World War II, Ithaca resumed production of the Model 37. Many sporting arms ceased production entirely during the same period.

With the depression dragging on and another war looming on the horizon, it was possibly the worst time to introduce a sporting arm. In 1937, it was released as the Ithaca 37. After gearing for production of their new shotgun as the Ithaca Model 33 in 1933, Ithaca discovered a Pedersen patent that would not expire until 1937, and production had to be delayed. They used the Remington Model 17 as their model and made modifications-such as simplifying and cost-saving alterations of the firing pin and ejection mechanism, the work of Ithaca designer Harry Howland in 1931 -while waiting for related patents to expire. Following the First World War, the Ithaca Gun Company sought to produce a pump-action shotgun to compete with the ubiquitous Winchester Model 1912.

Ithaca shotguns date of manufacture