Few names in the firearms industry carry the weight and heritage of Ithaca Gun Company. For more than a century, Ithaca has produced shotguns that have accompanied hunters into duck blinds, rode in police cruisers, and served American troops. While the company has weathered ownership changes, relocations, bankruptcies, and shifting market trends, the Ithaca name remains synonymous with American-made craftsmanship and one of the most respected pump-action shotguns ever built: the Model 37.
Humble Beginnings in New York
The roots of Ithaca Gun Company stretch back to the late 19th century. The company was founded in Ithaca, New York, in 1883 by William Henry Baker and several business partners after Baker left the W.H. Baker Company, a respected shotgun manufacturer.
In its earliest years, Ithaca focused on producing side-by-side double-barrel shotguns. These firearms quickly earned a reputation for quality workmanship and attractive engraving. As America’s sporting culture expanded, Ithaca’s reputation grew alongside it, attracting customers ranging from everyday hunters to some of the most famous shooters of the era.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Among the company’s notable admirers were legendary exhibition shooter Annie Oakley and composer John Philip Sousa, who served as president of the American Trap Shooters Association. Ithaca even produced a special Sousa Grade shotgun in his honor.
Building a Reputation for Fine Shotguns
Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, Ithaca expanded its product line and acquired several successful firearm designs. One of the company’s most influential acquisitions was the shotgun design created by Emil Flues. Ithaca purchased the patent in 1907 and refined it for large-scale production, resulting in the popular Ithaca Flues shotgun.
The company incorporated with Lefever Arms Company, another New York based firearms manufacturer, in 1916. This acquisition further strengthened Ithaca’s position in the American shotgun market and allowed the company to continue producing firearms under the respected Lefever name for many years.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
By the early 20th century, Ithaca had established itself as one of America’s premier shotgun manufacturers.
The Birth of the Legendary Model 37
While Ithaca’s side-by-side doubles remain highly collectible today, the firearm that would ultimately define the company arrived in 1937.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
The Ithaca Model 37 was based on a design lineage that began with John Browning’s Remington Model 17. After several patents expired, Ithaca engineer Harry Howland modified and simplified the design, making it more economical to manufacture while maintaining Browning’s innovative features. The result was the Ithaca Model 37.
What set the Model 37 apart from other pump-action shotguns was its bottom-loading, bottom-ejecting design. Instead of ejecting spent shells out the side, the Model 37 expelled them through the same opening used for loading. This created a closed receiver that was highly resistant to dirt, snow, mud, and debris. It also made the shotgun naturally ambidextrous, an advantage appreciated by left-handed shooters.
The design proved exceptionally reliable and would become one of the longest-running pump-action shotguns in American history. In fact, the Model 37 remains one of the few pre-World War II shotgun designs still in production today.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Serving America at War
Like many American manufacturers, Ithaca shifted production to support the war effort during World War II. They manufactured M1911A1 pistols for American forces and produced military versions of the Model 37 pump shotgun, featuring shortened barrels and bayonet lugs for trench and close-quarters combat. Ithaca continued its defense production during the Korean War, manufacturing the M3 submachine gun, better known as the “Grease Gun.”
A Favorite of Hunters
Following World War II, Ithaca resumed civilian production of the Model 37, and the shotgun quickly became a favorite among hunters.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Waterfowl hunters, in particular, appreciated the bottom-ejection system. Empty shells stayed inside the boat or blind rather than flying toward hunting partners. The closed receiver also helped keep debris out of the action during wet and muddy hunting conditions.
Challenges and Reinvention
Despite its success, Ithaca faced significant challenges during the latter half of the 20th century.
The company changed ownership several times, relocated manufacturing operations, and experienced financial difficulties that culminated in bankruptcy and temporary production shutdowns. Operations moved from Ithaca, New York, to King Ferry, and later Auburn before production eventually ceased in 2005.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Fortunately, the Ithaca name did not disappear.
New ownership groups revived the company and relocated manufacturing to Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Today, Ithaca continues producing American-made shotguns while maintaining many of the traditional manufacturing methods that built its reputation.
Ithaca Today
Modern Ithaca shotguns remain proudly American-made and continue to center around the iconic Model 37 platform. The company offers hunting, sporting, defensive, and slug-gun variants while maintaining a strong emphasis on quality and craftsmanship.
While many firearm manufacturers have moved toward mass production and overseas sourcing, Ithaca has largely remained committed to its heritage. For collectors, hunters, and shotgun enthusiasts, the company represents a direct link to a period when American gunmaking was defined by skilled craftsmanship and durable designs.
An Enduring Legacy
More than 140 years after its founding, Ithaca Gun Company remains one of the most recognizable names in American firearms history. From elegant side-by-side doubles to the legendary Model 37, Ithaca’s firearms have accompanied generations of hunters, law enforcement officers, competitive shooters, and servicemen.
Few companies have endured as many changes while retaining such a strong identity. The fact that the Model 37 is still being built today is perhaps the best testament to the quality of the design and the enduring legacy of the company that created it.
WHY OUR ARTICLES/REVIEWS DO NOT HAVE AFFILIATE LINKS
Affiliate links create a financial incentive for writers to promote certain products, which can lead to biased recommendations. This blurs the line between genuine advice and marketing, reducing trust in the content.