Grandpa's shotgun

[jb1911]

A few months ago my Uncle Bud passed away. He left me my grandfather's 1943 Ithaca model 37. My Grandfather and his friends did a lot of deer hunting in Minnesota to feed the family, they were not well off financially. I never got to form a relationship with him as he died when I was 4 years old. Anyway, when I got it, it looked like it had been in a closet in Florida for 60 years (because it had). It was covered with rust, looked like it had never been cleaned and had a few broken parts. I tore it apart and cleaned it thoroughly, replaced the broken parts and lubed it. Then I removed all the rust with Scotchbrite and reblued it. I'd like to think that he'd be happy that I rescued it.

Here it is:

View attachment 29740

 

[Win52C]

Well done. I'm sure he would be thrilled. That's a fine looking old shotgun !!

 

[patience0830]

Well done, sir. I'm sure your grand dad would be proud of you.

 

[1775usmarine]

Excellent job. I'm sure its ready for many more years of use and probably a few more deer.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

IF your blue-job doesn't stand up... (for whatever reason)

You can ship it back to Ithaca and they'll re-blue it...for a price

Good job on the restoration! Fun doing that kind of thing, isn't it?

 

[cosermann]

That's a keeper. Nice job. I'm sure grandpa would be proud.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Very nice! I love the model 37 and you did a great job restoring it.

 

[d30carls]

Nice job how hard was it to reblue it ive got a couple old rifles with similar stories I have thought about doing

 

[gregkl]

Very nice. I really like the M37's. Slide racks as smooth as butter.

 

[jb1911]

Nice job how hard was it to reblue it ive got a couple old rifles with similar stories I have thought about doing

It didn't take nearly as much time as I thought. Remove all the rust with scotchbrite, remove all oil and grease with brake cleaner, then just rub on the Oxpho Blue over and over again until it looks good to you. Buff it with #0000 steel wool and rub on some oil and you're good to go. I actually enjoy doing things like this.

 

[jb1911]

Very nice. I really like the M37's. Slide racks as smooth as butter.

Yeah, it's smooth like butta'! This is a 16 gauge, light as a feather.

 

[1911ly]

Awesome! I have my wife's Grandfather's Ithical 37 16ga that my father in law restored just before he died. It will go to my boy. I know the feeling of attachment you have! Great job and Grandpa would be proud!

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

+3 - nice work (the respect you put in to that legacy project AND the actual restoration itself).

 

[blkrifle]

nice job!

 

[Slawburger]

Looks good. I like old Ithaca shotguns and the family history makes it even more special.

 

[whitetailbowhunter]

Wow! job well done!

 

[Joniki]

Nicely done.

 

[kalboy]

Very nice indeed! Well done restoration at home, your obviously careful work paid a good dividend here. Yes, Grandad would be pleased for sure! I would be happy to think my grandsons would someday value their heirlooms as much as you do.

 

[d30carls]

It didn't take nearly as much time as I thought. Remove all the rust with scotchbrite, remove all oil and grease with brake cleaner, then just rub on the Oxpho Blue over and over again until it looks good to you. Buff it with #0000 steel wool and rub on some oil and you're good to go. I actually enjoy doing things like this.

Thanks I may have to try it

 

[UncleNorby]

Nice job on the 37. We have one from the 70's that's not as cool as that one.

There's a guy (DIY_guy or somethign like that) on the Gunsmithing forums at Huntingnet.com that has a bunch of DIY restoration threads. Anyon who is interested in doing such a project should chech them out before proceeding. A TON of good info there.