Crabs. Old Bay or J.O.'s?

[Crab Claw]

Hi All. New member from the Land of Pleasant Living. I'm hoping to learn from all the experts in this forum. I have a few questions about the age of the Winchester Model 37 that belonged to my grandfather, then father, now me. It's not a Red Letter model but rather a 'blue belly", so, I know it's made between 1947 and 1963. The buttplate is hard plastic and has "Winchester Repeating Arms" printed in a circle as opposed to "Winchester" being printed vertically. Does anyone know what year my buttplate was discontinued?

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[P7M13]

Just reading the title, great places for crabs: NE Sandy or NE 82nd in Portland, NE Portland Ave or the Capitol building in Salem.
But, you're in MD, so I'm sure there are plenty of places in Baltimore or around DC.

 

[arrowshooter]

Welcome Crab Claw.

Answer to your title, Old Bay. Answer to your post is AI generated:

Winchester began switching from the original hard rubber buttplates to a hard plastic version on the Model 37 around 1948. This change happened after the World War II production hiatus, as the company moved to a more cost-effective manufacturing process.
Key details of the production change include:

• Original buttplate: The pre-1948 Model 37s used a hard rubber buttplate featuring a round "Winchester Repeating Arms" logo.
• New buttplate: After 1948, Winchester switched to a hard plastic buttplate that had the word "Winchester" spelled out vertically.
• No serial numbers: Because Winchester Model 37s were never factory serialized, the buttplate style is one of the key features used to approximate the firearm's age.
• • Other features: In addition to the buttplate, another date-identifying feature is the "Red Letter" mark. Early Model 37s produced until 1948 have the "Winchester" name stamped on the receiver and filled with red enamel paint.

 

[64MercurysRule]

Welcome from r we gone . Glad you're here . There is much to see , learn and share here . Enjoy the forum and all it has to offer . Blessings to you & yours from out West
I too have a post 1948 37 in .410 . It has the vertical .
I have read some early 50's 37's had the circled Winchester , possibly used up early butt plates .

 

[Xaevian]

Welcome!

 

[Crab Claw]

Just reading the title, great places for crabs: NE Sandy or NE 82nd in Portland, NE Portland Ave or the Capitol building in Salem.
But, you're in MD, so I'm sure there are plenty of places in Baltimore or around DC.

Plenty of places right here in North East, MD. No need to go 45 miles to Baltimore.

 

[L0C0]

Welcome on board...

 

[CountryGent]

Welcome to NWFA.

 

[Crab Claw]

Thank you all for the welcome and the info. Looking forward to being a part of this community.

 

[ma96782]

Aloha, Mark

 

[fredball]

Welcome Aboard