ryan
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by ryan on Sept 19, 2005 17:13:06 GMT -5
Purchased in mid-1970's, probably from Wishman Sporting Goods, Duluth. It's a .28 Gauge, exposed hammer, automatic ejector, single shot Winchester, made in the original Winchester factory in New Haven, CT....which means it has the old-fashioned "Winchester Sporting Arms" style butt-plate. Model number is forgotten, but it has a regular (pistol grip) stock and modified beaver-tail forearm.
Is that good?
Does anyone know what the value of this would be?
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donnie
Grand Member
Posts: 584
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Post by donnie on Sept 19, 2005 20:10:57 GMT -5
No but I'm willing to go $10 Ryan.............
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Post by klsm54 on Sept 19, 2005 20:41:34 GMT -5
It is most likely a Model 37A. I am not sure of the value, a 12, 16 or 20 gauge seems to be in $125- 175 range. The fact that it is in a 28 gauge may bring a few more bucks.
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bounce
Royal Member
Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Sept 19, 2005 21:05:03 GMT -5
37 A very nice $140.00 Add 50% for 28 ga. = $210.00
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Post by Jack on Sept 19, 2005 21:06:07 GMT -5
Yeah, my first shotgun was a 37 in 20 gauge, and you've described it to a T, Ryan. I'm sure that's what you have. Afraid I have no idea of the value.
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Post by Bill on Sept 20, 2005 12:49:54 GMT -5
Ryan, IF you own this gun don't sell it. If you don't own it and can get it cheap buy it. Their very nice guns and highly collectable. Especially in .28 gauge. First built in 1937 The first ones had Winchester stamped under the reciver and and was filled with Red paint. This is a Red letter mod 37 Later in 1948 they dropped this and were a smooth bottom reciver after that. A very few of the 37's were made up in 8 gauge and .45-70 and some were made in .410 with 18" barrels to be used on John Olin's farm in georga for his guests and him to use on the snakes there. The 28 gauge is found so very rarly and is so hard to find that prices could climb up to around $499 to $700 or more depending on condition, Dates of manufacture are from 1937 to 1963. Also all the .410's .45-70 and 8 gauge guns are custom built. Again the 28 gauge is encounter so rarely that one cannot price it. Like I said, BUY IT. Also Winchester made Mod 20's 36's and 41's in single shot but the 36's and 41's were a single shot bolt action and the mod 20 a break open. The mod 20 was in .410 only.
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bounce
Royal Member
Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Sept 20, 2005 14:39:26 GMT -5
If it is your's ryan I would send it to bill and ask for the $800.00 Then go buy a Rem. 1100 for $650.oo in 28 ga. ...smiles...
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Post by klsm54 on Sept 20, 2005 15:24:49 GMT -5
Ahh, Bill.... ..I'm afraid you are not reading all the info today..... ;D As you pointed out, the 37 was made until 1963...Ryans gun was purchased in the Mid 70's. So...unless it was at leasat 10 years old when purchased, it would make it a 37A, which I believe would be closer to Bounces estimate. Now Ryan, If you can get Bill to give you $800.00 for a 37A, by all means, go for it... ;D ;D ;D
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ryan
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by ryan on Sept 20, 2005 17:09:17 GMT -5
Sorry guys its not mine, Brad, a good friend of mine either has bought it or is looking towards doing so. He asked me to see what I could find out about it. I gave him this thread so he could keep up on what you guys say about it, so thanks from both of us! Ryan & Brad
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Post by Bill on Sept 20, 2005 20:45:02 GMT -5
The 37A was not made in 28 Gauge. Or at least not that I have found. And if you read the whole post he said the owner bought it in 70 but didn't say new that I seen. I bet it dosn't have a serial # either which puts it back before the 37A also Plus the stampings on the barrels says its the old winchester factory. I just delt with what I read is all. Unless my glasses need replacing again. Dang things anyway. :-)
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Post by jimh on Sept 21, 2005 7:08:42 GMT -5
on those old original red letter '37s the first year or two had a hand forged release lever. refered to as a pigtail. it was a piece of steel heated up and bent over to form the loop. i had one of these in 12 ga and sold it years ago. the hammer on these models where little tiny rascals. if you were to find one of these in good condition for sale please forward all info to me. also if you could match the 75.00 price i paid for mine back in the 80's i would be gratefull.
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Post by Bill on Sept 21, 2005 11:47:07 GMT -5
Jim the first top levers were formed from sheet metal. At the rear, the metal was folded leaving a tear-shaped hole. It was soon changed after it was brought out though to a forging like you described. I think this was about the second year of production. The first striking levers were hardly more than 1/8" wide then switched to a wider one them a concave hammer was put on them about the same time that the top lever was changed. The reason its called a striking lever instead of a hammer is due to the fact that the cocking lever dosn't hit the fireing pin. Instead it pulls the striker into postion which it in turn hits the fireing pin. If you find a 12 gauge in really great shape for $75 you better grab it and run Jim. Most I have seen have gone for around $200. Early 37's had the round logo and the laters ones had the vertical Winchester logo. Also on the mod 37A the barrels were stamped 37A in the Winchester logo and had a real hammer about 1/4" wide. Winchester did authorize a mod 38 which is easily reconized as its a mod 37 thats hammerless but if I remember right it was never offered for sale. I bought my son a NIB Mod 37 Beginners single shot. Gave it to him for his 12th birthday. His mother wouldn't let him take it home (I was divorced at the time) When he graduated and moved out from his mothers house he finally took it. He had a roommate that kicked some holes in the wall and then moved out. My son had to pay for the repairs which at that time was $50 and he gave the gun to the landlord to pay for the repairs. When I think of it I still get mad.
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Post by klsm54 on Sept 21, 2005 11:55:41 GMT -5
Well heck Bill, if the 37A was not made in 28 gauge, and the gun is indeed a 37, I guess I need my glasses checked... ;D...I just had to get that dig in after we roughed you up on the varmint board too... ;D I guess I only read the part about "Mid seventies" and didn't look much further. But if it is indeed a 37, and if on top of that it is a Red Letter, it should be a pretty nice collector. Obviously bought "used" in the mid seventies. I can't find a lot on the 37A, but did find where some (not many) were produced in 22 Hornet, which would probably be a rarity also. Well I'll be darned!.. ...In digging around, I found an advertisement for a 37-A in 28 gauge.... Here is the link to it... www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976636323.htm Ryan, here is a picture of a 37A... and here is one of a 37, newer model, post Red Letter... NOTE: Look at the hammer position. If it is in front of the action lever, it is a 37-A, if it is behind the lever, it is a 37. I had a 37 Red Letter in 12 gauge. Those little hammers were a bear9much smaller than the post Red Letter in the picture). I had the strongest thumb in the county from thumbing that thing back... ;D
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Post by Bill on Sept 21, 2005 12:15:13 GMT -5
I can sympathize with your thumb KLSM54. All the 37's and 37A's were a bear to cock. Also if his is a 37A and 28 gauge I would still value it higher than the $210 that Bounce stated as you can see from the price on the gun in gunsamerica at $325. If that gun would of had a box it would of been a lot higher than it is. Maybe as much as 50% I have seen 2 mod 37's in 28 gauge and none of the 37A's if that tells you anything.
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Post by klsm54 on Sept 21, 2005 12:21:31 GMT -5
I always like these type of questions because a guy gets to learn so much.. ;D Without this question I probably never would have dug around looking for information of Winchester Single Shot Shotguns. From what I can gather, MOST, and I say most because it is seldom, if ever, ALL, when talking of guns....MOST of the 37-As were made in the Canada plant, so there is still a good chance, if the gun was purchased used, that it is a 37, which makes it more valuable than if it was a 37-A. Ryan, keep us informed on this one. It will be interesting to see which model it is, and what the price is on it....
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