Ithaca Trench Gun 1960's Commercial/Police (Or Not)

[dobk]

Just picked up one in the 1001XXX serial range (1968). It is blued, the barrel is 20" and marked CYL. Upon inspection with a strong light I can see evidence of a filled bead hole in the barrel, can't see it in room light with the naked eye but it's there. Barrel matches the receiver but from reading some postings here the barrel should be marked modified and the gun should be parkerized.

So the barrel being marked cylinder and having a filled hole (and being blued maybe also) definitely means this is a riot with an added heat shield /bayonet mount, correct? Is there any way to check what configuration this serial was shipped as or is that a mute point? Thanks.

[dobk]

Well I went over to a friends who also has a Ithaca 37 Trench Gun but his is parkerized and has the USSF markings. His was made in the early 70's but we could see the same evidence of a bead hole looking at the top inside of the barrel and is marked CYL. Here are some pics of my gun.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC026512.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC02667.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC026621.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC02657.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC026881.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC026931.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC026911.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC026982.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC026863.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/DSC026541.JPG

[Tom Doniphon]

I've seen some parkerized Model 37 trench guns with the same adaptor/heat shield. Loose adaptors with those markings (SP 30.06) were also seen around some years ago. I believe they are for the Model 1905 bayonet. Don't know if anyone knows for certain who made them.

Notice that the barrel lug on your gun also has a swivel post.

[dobk]

Hi Tom, I wondered about the studs also but my friend's gun had them (with fixed swivels) and I have now found other pics of Ithaca commercial trench guns with them.. This gun came with Uncle Mikes type swivels (non-locking) and an old leather 1" sling. It takes the Springfield/Garand Bayonet and will not take a 1917 bayonet. I forgot to add a pic of the buttplate so here it is. I guess the tape with the letter A could be a rack identifier.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/547/medium/DSC027082.JPG

[scosgt]

I have seen a few commercial Ithaca trench guns new in the box. They do not come with a buttstock sling swivel installed!!!! There was a screw in type in the box, never mounted.

That adapter was made up in the 1970s or 1980s by someone, it takes the '03 long bayonet. The USSF is a special edition made up for a distributor on the west coast in that time period, it is NOT US issue in any way shape or form. I can remember when they were offered for sale, they were strictly a commercial special order.

[dobk]

I guess I was not clear in my original post with the (or not) added to it. By that I was asking if this is an Ithaca factory made commecial trench gun or converted to a trench gun from a 20' riot after it left the factory. I know it's not military and apologize for posting about a commercial gun on a military firearms board but after searching the internet I figured this was the best repository of knowledge about this weapon.

I would like to know if anyone has seen one of these blued rather than parkerized. I never figured the USSF marked ones were military but always thought it stood for a police org. or more likely a company that bought them for security. So someone just made them up as a lark, that's sad.

[scosgt]

It is impossible to know for sure. Most of the Ithaca "commercial" trench guns I have seen were parked. And that era, Ithaca produced 20" riot shotguns with FULL CHOKE! It was thought to be better for #4 Buckshot loads, which were military issue.
In any case I do not believe that the adapter was made by Ithaca, although who knows, they could have had a contract.

[scosgt]

By the way, It is a nice looking gun, whatever it is. I would hang it on the wall.

[dobk]

By the way, It is a nice looking gun, whatever it is. I would hang it on the wall.

Thanks for the kind words. Looks like it didn't see any hard service, just a little neglect with scrapes dings and freckling.

[Fessor]

What does the letters USSF stand for? I recently heard about a Win 97 that was so stamped. Where on the gun were these marking applied?

[scosgt]

"United States Special Forces"
BUT
It is NOT

[dobk]

Here's a link to one that appeared at Rock Island Auction last September.

http://rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/50/lid/1550