Buttstock for Ithaca Model 37
- Thread starter jbondor
- Start date
Last edited:
Might want to check here:
www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Replacement-Stocks.htm
Think the walnut semi finished buttstock was around $60.00.
www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Replacement-Stocks.htm
Think the walnut semi finished buttstock was around $60.00.
Here is another option, but they are more expensive than gunstocksinc. With either place, you need to call and ask about degree of inletting provided and then needed to correctly fit the stock. Also you should ask how much oversize the wood will be so as to judge how much work it is going to take to finish it,
http://www.shop.macongunstocks.com/...-Butt-stock-Ithaca-37-Stock.htm?productId=777
If you are not comfortable inletting and finishing a stock yourself, IthacaGun will sell finished stocks, with a recoil pad installed.
However you might consider them a bit pricey, but they are ready for installation as soon as you open the box. A friend of mine bought one from them and is completely satisfied with his purchase
http://www.ithacagun.com/
http://www.shop.macongunstocks.com/...-Butt-stock-Ithaca-37-Stock.htm?productId=777
If you are not comfortable inletting and finishing a stock yourself, IthacaGun will sell finished stocks, with a recoil pad installed.
However you might consider them a bit pricey, but they are ready for installation as soon as you open the box. A friend of mine bought one from them and is completely satisfied with his purchase
http://www.ithacagun.com/
jaguarxk120
New member
I'm one of the guy's that had the factory install a new set of stocks. I took my 12 gauge (broken stock) to Ithaca and Zak helped me on selection of a new set of stocks, I upgraded the wood and the set cost me $250. BUT being able to pick out my own stock from their inventory and have them fitted while I waited was worth every penny.
I was watching the gun smith as he fitted the stock set, I also had a left hand safety installed and watched Zak as he performed the work, first class all the way.
Your 20 gauge is a fine gun and you won't find another shotgun as good unless it is a Ithaca.
I was watching the gun smith as he fitted the stock set, I also had a left hand safety installed and watched Zak as he performed the work, first class all the way.
Your 20 gauge is a fine gun and you won't find another shotgun as good unless it is a Ithaca.
jaguarxk120
New member
Butt stocks for the 20 gauge guns won't pop-up that often since Ithaca did not make as many 20 gauge guns. And the stocks are made to fit each gauge receiver. That is the 12,16, and 20 gauge gun receiver's are different sizes.
That's why the Model 37 carries so well in the field.
That's why the Model 37 carries so well in the field.
additionally pre- and post- 855,000 ser nbr'ed guns have slightly deeper inletting for the trigger guard. Older stocks that pop up on the auction sites, are, for the most part rotten. Not all, but most.
the biggest issue with Ithaca 37 buttstocks are over oiling the receiver, and storing the gun standing up. the oil runs out the back of the receiver and into the wood, soaking it making it soft. you can fix them, I have fixed a bunch BUT there is always the case that they might be too rotten
also stocks that are too tight or too loose suffer the infamous Ithaca crack.
I just finished repairing this one. as you can see, this is where they crack at
the biggest issue with Ithaca 37 buttstocks are over oiling the receiver, and storing the gun standing up. the oil runs out the back of the receiver and into the wood, soaking it making it soft. you can fix them, I have fixed a bunch BUT there is always the case that they might be too rotten
also stocks that are too tight or too loose suffer the infamous Ithaca crack.
I just finished repairing this one. as you can see, this is where they crack at
Thank you very much for your responses. This is a "beater" gun that I picked up years ago at a police auction. I cleaned it up somewhat and my son used it for a couple of years. It functioned well, until the stock split and the piece was lost. I'll give some of these suggestions a try. Thanks again.
jaguarxk120
New member
Can you give us the first few numbers of the serial number (12345XXXX) from that we can tell you the year it was made.
There are many older Ithaca Model 37's out in service that some may call beaters but could be restored. No mater when the Model 37's just about all the parts can be had from the factory. Refinishing the stocks or replacing them and a rebluing will bring the gun back to like new condition.
Go to www.shotgunworld.com and look in the Ithaca forum, scroll through the posts and look what how drcook restored a 16 gauge. From a poorly taken care of gun to a very fine shooter, unless you know where to look the repairs can not be seen.
There are many older Ithaca Model 37's out in service that some may call beaters but could be restored. No mater when the Model 37's just about all the parts can be had from the factory. Refinishing the stocks or replacing them and a rebluing will bring the gun back to like new condition.
Go to www.shotgunworld.com and look in the Ithaca forum, scroll through the posts and look what how drcook restored a 16 gauge. From a poorly taken care of gun to a very fine shooter, unless you know where to look the repairs can not be seen.
you know, you can have a piece glued back on and reshaped accordingly. if you are handy, that would be the least expensive option and the one I would try first. use some good wood epoxy and have both parts sanded very flat and very smooth so you get a good tight joint and clamp it.
DRCOOK.....
Holy moley! I have that same crack in my old Ithaca 37 (20 guage)....did not know they were so common they had a name. How did you fix that? OH, and for the original poster - they have them on Numrich, but pretty pricey - around $100 IIRC.....I looked there but was not willing to spend that kind of money for the beater I have.
J
Holy moley! I have that same crack in my old Ithaca 37 (20 guage)....did not know they were so common they had a name. How did you fix that? OH, and for the original poster - they have them on Numrich, but pretty pricey - around $100 IIRC.....I looked there but was not willing to spend that kind of money for the beater I have.
J
Boyd's stock is sized to fit on a 12ga. That means the inletting will be too tall for a 20ga. There will need to be a lot of work to fit it. It will be oversized for the action, so once it is sized it will need refinished.
Once upon a time Boyd's sold stocks for lots of models. I have gotten stocks from them in the past and they had good stuff. One of my 12ga Ithaca 37s is stocked with a Boyd's laminate stock.
However, since they changed/were bought out, they do not offer nearly what they did. A lot of their former employees work at Macon Gun Stocks now.
Jaughtman,
I used a good grade of waterproof wood glue and clamped it back together. I have fixed a couple or mine with cracks there and have a 1951 stock I am fixing that is otherwise pretty pristine for one of my guns.
You can also use epoxy. Gently spread the crack apart and put just enough glue in so that a little will squeeze back out. Just a little. Make sure you get enough inside. You don't want so much that it won't squeeze shut all the way.
Then clamp it and leave alone until dry. Wipe the excess off of course.
If you want to do a stock refinish after the repair, just shout and I will tell you how.
this is that split buttstock above. I glued some walnut to the bottom of the pistol grip and reshaped it back to a more late 1940's, early 1950's profile.
you can barely see the line where the crack was and after I applied the wood stain to match the corncob forend (Ithaca stocks are stained) that line disappeared.
I have to strip the lacquer and respray it as I was trying to get it done to hunt with and you can't shoot lacquer correctly when it is cold. I don't shoot lacquer in the house. You can see on the pistol grip where I ran it, tried to sand it out, broke through the finish a little and sprayed back over. This is minor. A little orange stripper and I will redo it when it gets warm.
Speaking of orange stripper. I mixed some up with baby powder and packed into the end of an Ithaca stock (with some tape around the edges) to suck the oil out of the wood. Ithacas tend to get oil soaked. Usually I just soak them in acetone, but the one I am working on needs to keep the original finish.
Once upon a time Boyd's sold stocks for lots of models. I have gotten stocks from them in the past and they had good stuff. One of my 12ga Ithaca 37s is stocked with a Boyd's laminate stock.
However, since they changed/were bought out, they do not offer nearly what they did. A lot of their former employees work at Macon Gun Stocks now.
Jaughtman,
I used a good grade of waterproof wood glue and clamped it back together. I have fixed a couple or mine with cracks there and have a 1951 stock I am fixing that is otherwise pretty pristine for one of my guns.
You can also use epoxy. Gently spread the crack apart and put just enough glue in so that a little will squeeze back out. Just a little. Make sure you get enough inside. You don't want so much that it won't squeeze shut all the way.
Then clamp it and leave alone until dry. Wipe the excess off of course.
If you want to do a stock refinish after the repair, just shout and I will tell you how.
this is that split buttstock above. I glued some walnut to the bottom of the pistol grip and reshaped it back to a more late 1940's, early 1950's profile.
you can barely see the line where the crack was and after I applied the wood stain to match the corncob forend (Ithaca stocks are stained) that line disappeared.
I have to strip the lacquer and respray it as I was trying to get it done to hunt with and you can't shoot lacquer correctly when it is cold. I don't shoot lacquer in the house. You can see on the pistol grip where I ran it, tried to sand it out, broke through the finish a little and sprayed back over. This is minor. A little orange stripper and I will redo it when it gets warm.
Speaking of orange stripper. I mixed some up with baby powder and packed into the end of an Ithaca stock (with some tape around the edges) to suck the oil out of the wood. Ithacas tend to get oil soaked. Usually I just soak them in acetone, but the one I am working on needs to keep the original finish.
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jaguarxk120
New member
The serial number will be found on the right front of the receiver. It will also be stamped on the barrel.
The gun being a older model is made before serial number 855,000 and the barrel is fitted to the receiver. That's why barrel and receiver carry the same number.
The gun being a older model is made before serial number 855,000 and the barrel is fitted to the receiver. That's why barrel and receiver carry the same number.
Per drcook: "the biggest issue with Ithaca 37 buttstocks are over oiling the receiver, and storing the gun standing up. the oil runs out the back of the receiver and into the wood, soaking it making it soft."
This is true, a few drops of cyanoacrylate on the open grain where the stock meets the receiver offers great protection from errant oil drops. Needless to say, let it dry before re-installing the buttstock.
This is true, a few drops of cyanoacrylate on the open grain where the stock meets the receiver offers great protection from errant oil drops. Needless to say, let it dry before re-installing the buttstock.