1951 Model 37 Is the poly-choke a factory installed option??
Moderator: ripjack13
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1
I am selling a family member's Featherlight and the serial number indicates it was made in 1951. It has a poly-choke on it and am wondering if there is any way to confirm or not if the poly-choke is original or added on later ? It is a 20 gauge and seems all original. If it was added on later , doe it devalue the gun? It is not a newer "poly-choke 2".
|
|
generaly no , but i do know of some "suspected" poly chokes that were installed directly from the factory.
the first thing i'd look at is to see if there is a choke marking on the barrel. i'd also look at barrel lenght measurments to see if they are factory spec. poly chokes are a user prefered item,some love them ,some hate them. to those that don't like them and collectors it lowers the value a bit those that like them won't care |
|
Poly chocks in general detract from the value to most collectors. That does not mean that you will not be able to sell the gun there are many poly choke lovers out there; however most of them will not pay more for a gun with a poly choke. They will usually give you the going rate witch will be some what less than a non poly choke gun. Ithaca did send barrels to have poly chokes installed on them at customers requests / special orders. Check carefully for any choke marking near the breach end of the barrel. Look for a dash and another number (1,2,3) after the serial number on the barrel. If there is no dash or choke markings on the barrel the gun came from the factory with the poly choke. These guns have more value than a gun that has not been modified after it left the factory.
|
|
Thanks for the replies. My barrel has the 5 digit serial number of 411*** Directly under that , is stamped the number "4". I also now see the word "Full" . I will check the exact measurement as suggested.
|
|
In that case, then no the poly-choke was added by someone after the gun was bought. Now personally I love poly-chokes, but I will not pay more for a gun with one add they can be had for less on the market than comparable ones with out a poly-choke.
Now then, one thing to be aware of. If the choke was installed by poly-choke it'll shoot true, perhaps a bit high which is good for bird hunting. There were many installed by so called gunsmiths that won't shoot to poa. If that is the case with yours, the only thing you can do is have the barrel "straightened". It is relatively simple and cheap to have done. A properly installed installed poly-choke is a wonderful thing on a hunting gun. |
|
Welcome to the Ithaca Owners Forum Lambre777 !!
|
|
Thanks for this thread. I've learned a lot. What would the #2 behind my serial mean?
|
|
Welcome to Ithaca owners. The number 2 after the serial means modified
|
|
.270 WIN
Posts: 146
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:10 pm Location: S.E. Va. CSA |
Yes, some poly chokes were installed at the factory. There are usually 2 marks on the barrel a number and the actual choke designation. Hope this helps.
Choke The number on the barrel. Mark on the barrel Cylinder 0 CYL Improved Cylinder 1 I. CYL Modified 2 MOD Improved Modified 3 I. MOD Full 4 FULL Skeet 5 SKT If you find one with a 3 designation it is a find. The Improved Mod was hardly used. |
.410
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:42 pm Location: Tidewater Virginia |
Chuck, thanks for that last post. I had never noticed the "1" under the serial number on my 1951-vintage Model 37. It is marked "1. CYL" on the side of the barrel, but I didn't realize Ithaca retained their choke number marking system after they stopped making double guns.
|
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests