Ithica Sid bell ultra feather .20 ga. ??

[o b juan]

I picked on up a few months ago (in a batch of guns i bought) found on net it was made in 1981
It appears to be near new no box, it has the gold quail engraved piece with the red back ground.
I cant find how many were made or a value

any help o b juan

[Dadtodabone]

Ithaca model 37's are a revered piece of shotgun making based on the 1915 Browning design(Remington Model 17). Light, quick pointing field guns that are very accurate.
The info below is from my personal pricing/value notes for my use when buying, selling or trading. I can't guarantee accuracy.

Ithaca, like most gun makers, produced their models in different grades, "field" "deluxe" "supreme" plain to fancy. In 1978 or 9, I'm not certain which, they also began to offer the 37 in standard featherweight and ultra featherweight. Standard was a steel receiver in 12, 16, 20 or 28 bore and Ultra was aluminum receiver 20 or 28 bore only. Again the guns were offered in different grades. As an additional embellishment to the "Supreme" grade, noted engraver Sid Bell produced grip caps for the guns. Sid Bell grip caps signify the proposed use for each gun. A Rising Pheasant for the Standard Featherlight, Bucks Head on the Deerslayer, Ducks on Magnums, and a Quail for the Ultra Featherlight, all with red background. Again I'm not certain, but I believe the Sid Bell grip caps were available into the mid 80's. New pricing on the guns ranged from $255 to $295 in 78.
Value is all over the place for these guns, they were not sold as a special issue or commemorative, the only limitation on production was sales. Sales were adversely impacted by the introduction of the new Browning BPS in late 1977. I'm guessing that less than 300 of each "Supreme" model w/grip caps was produced. I've seen asking prices of $2500 to $3000 on "Sid Bell" Ultras, but never any confirmed sales. LNIB 12s and 1 16 have sold in the last few years in the $1k range. Rarity alone does not create value, there has to be demand also. Colt, for example, has produced millions of pistols, history and "demand" for them is what creates value. Even the recent vintage "Snake" pistols in original condition sell for premiums that are multiple multiples of their original selling price. I'd suspect your gun as described, could have a value in the $1000 to $1500 range. Finding an Ithaca "collector" who wants one is the big hurdle.
One caution on use, the ultras were very thin wall barreled guns, no steel shot.

[o b juan]

Thanks for the response. I dont want to shoot it and It has not been fired at all, in my opinion.