Winchester shotgun

Question
I inherited a Winchester shotgun, it's a 410 gauge on the barrel it has 37-SteelBilt/410/3inch. Could you tell me how old it is and anything else about it please.  I can't seem to find any serial number anywhere on it. Thank you

Answer
Kathy,

You could not find a serial number on your Model 37, because Winchester Model 37 shotguns were not numbered. Serial numbers were not required on long guns until the Gun Control Act of 1968.  

The Winchester Model 37 was popular because it was well made and inexpensive. Over 1,015,000 Model 37's were manufactured from 1936 to 1963 and another 600,000+ were manufactured between 1968 and 1980 as the Model 370 and the Model 37A.  Since yours has no serial number it was manufactured pre-1963.  There is really no way to give you anything other than that as a age since there are no serial numbers.  You might be able to get a better idea talking to other family members that might know more about when the gun was actually purchased.

In my opinion Models 370 and 37A were of poorer quality and workmanship than the original Model 37. The Model 37 was offered in 12, 16, 20, 28 and .410 Gauges and came only in full choke.  These are great shotguns and certainly worth keeping if you are interested.  It would probably only be worth between $75 and $125 if you tried to sell it.

Your gun is a .410 gauge and can handle a 3 inch shell.  Shotguns are designed to take either 2 3/4" or 3" shells.  Your's can handle either since it is chambered as a 3" gun.  These guns have a 'break open' action and are single shot.  If you have a young son, these shotguns are a perfect 'intro' shotguns since they are single shot and simple to operate.

Hope this helps you out...

Doug Little