I have a question that may be hard to answer

Question
I have an Ithaca Gun co. LLC. model 37 Deerslayer, 12ga. pump action single barrell shotgun. It have an engraving of ducks flying off of a pond and some further engraving on  the stock. Yes it is a deerlayer because it has the shortened barrell and rifle like targeting above the action. It was also manufactured in Ithaca, NY not the new facility in Ohio. There is also a serial number of 984577 on the gun.  It is in excellent condition by NRA standards. I was wondring if you could tell how much it is worth. I can not find a date on it anywhere. I wish i could. I know it was my father-in-laws many years ago. And I sold it between 1995 and 1997 but bought it back before the guy i sold it to died and I'm fifty so this gun has been around a while.  Just wondering if there is anyway you could possibly find out a value i've exhausted my resources. thank you.....scott  

Answer
Hi Scott,

Currently the Deerslayer is manufactured by the "new" company located in Upper Sandusky , Ohio. The model that you have is one of Ithaca's earlier original versions.

The Deerslayer was actually an Ithaca model 37. The Deerslayer was made from 1959 to 1987 when the Ithaca Acquisition Corp. acquired the assets of the Ithaca Gun Co. after which the model 37 was renamed the model 87. The name was again changed to the M37 after the assets of the Ithaca Acquisition Corp. were purchased in May of 1996 by the Ithaca Gun Co. LLC.

There are later versions of the Deerslayer known as the "Model 37 Deerslayer II". It was offered in both 12 and 20 gauge they were fitted with either 20" or 25" barrels with rifled bores. The barrels are fixed to the receiver. In 2001 a 16ga. was also offered.

A model 37 Deerslayer made between 1959 and 1987 and in "good" condition have a retail value of about $300.

There was also a Deluxe Deerslayer made from 1951 to 1971 that has a retail value in "good" condition of $225 and a Model 37 Super Deluxe Deerslayer made from 1959 to 1987 that in the same condition has a retail value of $275.

I'm guessing based upon your description that you have the first model listed above which is the Model 37 Deerslayer.

Thanks for the question.
Sid Lark