Winchester 37 Blast from the Past

This old gun is a clay busting machine. I think it's a Winchester Red Label 1940 era. It has the Winchester engraved logo under the receiver but no red paint fill left. The barrel is marked Steelbilt. I machined a front bead assembly and retapped the barrel 4-40. The comb pad is Gottagrip and helps tremendously. I stuck an old Browning pad on the back. No, it's not worth anything but sure does smoke targets with a full choke style barrel.

 

Changed the rubber pad to fitted comb extension. I traced a K32 to get the right shape, the comb is more parallel. I used a chunk of black walnut off a tree that aged in the attic for a few years. It took a few cuts to find some without internal splits.

Sanded off the old finish with 220 grit. I patterned it rough and belt sanded it at the range until she shot good. Dark walnut stain and 4 coats of spray polyurethane. Yup, found a dog hair stuck into one coat & had to sand it out. The last coat got stroked with 2500 grit paper and that made a huge difference on the finish. Now it's definitively worthless for resale but I like it.

 

I’ve picked up a few 37s through the decades. The first I brought home was a 20 gauge found at a yard sale for $40 (1995ish).

-26” barrel

-modified choke

-13” lop

-red Winchester pad



it wasn’t until years later that I realized it was a less commonly found “beginner” variation.

I had it in my head at one point to collect every sub variation of every chambering… but that hasn’t (yet) happened.

They are reliable, easy pointing shotguns. I lost count of the amount of game I’ve taken with this 37, but needless to say it’s been put to use.

 

That 20g is a great looking gun. I bet you got your money's worth. Between the purchase & repair, I have about $300 into mine and she shoots great. Took it for a ride Thursday night and any target I missed was my fault.

 

A gentleman named Arnold Reigger shot one of those for years. He was proberly the reason for the 27 yard line.

 

I don't know how he obtained it , but George Snellenberger Came into ownership of Arnold Reiger's Winchester 37 and now it resides in the National Trapshooting Hall of Fame.

Dave Berlet