Ithaca Gun Company

What Ithaca Gun Company does

Ithaca Gun Company is a privately held American firearms manufacturer founded in 1883 by William Henry Baker and currently operating from a single facility at 420 North Warpole Street, Upper Sandusky, Ohio. The company specializes in pump-action shotguns built on the John Browning-designed Model 37 platform introduced in 1937, with a product portfolio centered on the Model 37 Featherlight (12/20 gauge, from $2,799), Model 37 28 Gauge ($1,999-$3,499), Model 37 Trench Gun (12 gauge, $2,999), Deerslayer II and III slug guns, and the Ithaca 1911 .45 ACP pistol. All firearms are manufactured with signature bottom-eject mechanisms and solid receivers machined from single blocks of American-made steel, with interchangeable barrel systems for post-1963 models (serial numbers above 855,000). The company supports a captive installed base of nearly 2 million Model 37 shotguns in the field through a comprehensive aftermarket parts catalog and a factory service department offering reblueing ($275), wood refinishing ($250), full refurbishment (~$600), and custom barrel fitting for pre-1963 firearms ($875).

Ithaca generates revenue through three streams: (1) direct-to-consumer unit sales of firearms via its online store (ithacagun.com/shopithaca/) and phone ordering, with firearms shipped to the customer's local FFL dealer for federal compliance transfer; (2) aftermarket parts and accessories sold direct, including internal parts, barrels and receivers, stock sets, 1911 parts, choke tube kits, premium wood upgrades ($550-$950), and branded clothing; and (3) professional service revenue from the factory service department. The company operates a strict factory-direct model without a traditional dealer distribution network — the approximately 7 FFL dealers in its ecosystem exist solely for legal transfer, not as resellers. The customer base is a long tail of hunting, competitive shooting, and firearms collecting enthusiasts in the United States, with geographic restrictions (Alaska, Hawaii, Canada by phone; California parts require FFL compliance under AB 1263 effective January 1, 2026).

The business is small (11-50 employees), has changed corporate ownership multiple times since the 1967 sale to General Recreation, Inc., and was most recently restructured in 2005-2007 when Ithaca Guns USA, LLC purchased the assets and Ithaca Gun Company acquired them back, consolidating operations in Ohio. The company is privately held with no public revenue disclosures, no outside equity investment, and no management team publicly identified in the input data. Its competitive position rests on 125+ years of brand heritage, multi-generational customer loyalty, traditional American craftsmanship, and a unique direct-to-consumer distribution structure within the firearms industry.

Name

Ithaca Gun Company

Legal name

Ithaca Gun Company

Website

https://ithacagun.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ithaca Gun Company is a privately held, Ohio-based American firearms manufacturer founded in 1883, specializing in pump-action Model 37 shotguns, Deerslayer slug guns, and 1911 pistols sold factory-direct to individual hunters, competitive shooters, and collectors in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Firearms Manufacturing

NAICS

Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994)

akta.pro primary industry

Firearms & Ammunition Retail (CRAMAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reloading & Gunsmithing Supplies Retail (CRAMAKAF), Shooting Sports Equipment Retail (Targets, Clay, Range Gear, Hearing/Eye Protection) (CRAMAKAG)

Keywords

• Pump-action shotguns
• American-made firearms
• Replacement gun parts
• Factory gun service
• Slug guns

Headquarters

HQ city

Upper Sandusky

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Firearms Sales: Direct sale of shotguns and handguns including Model 37 Featherlight, Model 37 28 Gauge, Model 37 Trench Gun, Deerslayer II, Deerslayer III, and 1911 pistols. Products sold via online store and phone orders with factory-direct shipping to FFL dealers.
2. Parts and Accessories: Sale of replacement parts including internal parts (95 items), barrels & receivers (14 items), stock sets (9 items), 1911 parts (17 items), choke tube kits, and clothing/accessories (31 items).
3. Service and Refurbishment: Factory service department provides repair, reblueing ($275), wood refinishing ($250), and general refurbishment (~$600). Custom barrel fitting for pre-1963 firearms with adapter installation ($875).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ithaca Gun Company manufactures and sells American-made firearms, primarily the iconic Model 37 pump-action shotgun family (Featherlight, 28 Gauge, Trench Gun), Deerslayer slug guns, and the Ithaca 1911 .45 ACP pistol. The company also offers replacement parts and accessories for its firearms and operates a factory service department providing repair, reblueing, wood refinishing, and refurbishment. All products are produced at the Upper Sandusky, Ohio facility and sold factory-direct through the company's own online store and phone sales.

Product overview

Ithaca Gun Company is a firearms manufacturer specializing in American-made shotguns and handguns. The core product line centers on the iconic Model 37 pump-action shotgun family, available in various configurations including the Featherlight, 28 Gauge, and Trench Gun variants. The company also produces the Deer Slayer series of specialized slug guns for big game hunting, known for accuracy at extended ranges. A secondary product line includes the Ithaca 1911 .45 ACP pistol. The product portfolio is supported by a comprehensive parts ecosystem covering Model 37 and 1911 firearms, including barrels, receivers, internal parts, stock sets, choke tubes, and wood upgrades. The company also offers branded clothing and accessories. All firearms are manufactured at the Upper Sandusky, Ohio facility with a focus on traditional craftsmanship combined with modern manufacturing techniques.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Model 37 Featherlight Classic pump-action shotgun featuring the bottom-eject design with a solid receiver carved from a single block of American steel, known for lightweight construction and fine craftsmanship. Available in 12 and 20 gauge configurations. Priced at $2,799.
• Model 37 28 Gauge Lightweight 28 gauge pump-action shotgun designed for field use with the same quality construction as other Model 37 variants. Priced between $1,999 and $3,499 depending on configuration.
• Model 37 Trench Gun 12 Gauge Military-style pump-action shotgun variant designed for tactical and trench defense applications, featuring the Model 37 bottom-eject platform. Priced at $2,999.
• Deer Slayer II Specialized slug gun designed for deer hunting with accuracy at extended ranges, featuring rifle-style sights.
• Deer Slayer III Premium slug gun marketed as the best accuracy slug gun available, designed for precise shots at 100 yards with cloverleaf grouping using 3-inch Winchester or Federal Fusion slugs.
• Ithaca 1911 .45 ACP Classic 1911-style semi-automatic pistol in .45 ACP caliber, built with quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
• Barrels & Receivers Replacement barrels and receivers for Model 37 shotguns, including interchangeable barrels for post-1963 firearms (serial numbers above 855,000) and home defense barrel configurations. Standard barrels priced $300–$499; Deerslayer barrels $400–$450.
• Internal Parts Internal mechanical components for Model 37 and 1911 firearms including extractors, firing pins, slide pins, shell stops, and springs. Approximately 95 internal parts listed in catalog.
• Stock Sets Complete stock and forend assemblies including pistol grip, youth stock, folding stock, Monte Carlo, English grip, and laminate thumb stock configurations in various wood grades. Priced from $85 (pistol grip only) to $950 (Classic Semi-Pistol Grip Stock Set with premium wood).
• 1911 Parts Aftermarket and OEM replacement components for Ithaca 1911 pistols including grips, extractors, firing pins, magazine components, and trigger parts. Approximately 17 parts listed in catalog.
• Choke Tube Kits Interchangeable choke tube kits including improved cylinder and full chokes for 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge shotguns. Priced at $75.
• Wood Upgrades Premium wood upgrades for stocks including Fancy AA and AAA grade black walnut in various configurations. Priced from $550 to $950 depending on grade.
• Clothing & Accessories Ithaca-branded apparel, hats, and throws featuring company branding. Approximately 31 items in catalog.
• Factory Service and Refurbishment Factory service department providing repair, reblueing ($275), wood refinishing ($250), full refurbishment (~$600), and custom barrel fitting/adapter installation for pre-1963 firearms ($875, or $750 for adapter with 1-year lead time).

Quantifiable outcome

• Deerslayer III achieves cloverleaf grouping at 100 yards with 3-inch Winchester Slugs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• American LegacyminorOthersFirearms industry company listed in Ithaca's industry links resource page
• Bill Hicks & Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirearms dealer in Minneapolis, MN listed on dealer inquiry page as reference for FFL dealers
• Diamond GunsmithingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGunsmithing service for older Ithaca models (SxS, Semi-Auto, Single shot, Lever Action, rimfire rifles) that Ithaca cannot service; referred to customers as alternative

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Springfield Armory: American firearms manufacturer with a strong 1911 lineup (TRP, Range Officer) directly competing with Ithaca's 1911 .45 ACP offering for the same premium/defensive/competition shooter segment.
• Remington Arms: Historic American firearms manufacturer producing shotguns (including the 870 pump-action, a direct Model 37 competitor), rifles, and handguns. Closest direct competitor in the pump-action shotgun category.
• Benelli: Italian shotgun manufacturer with strong U.S. presence offering both semi-automatic and pump-action shotguns (including the Nova and Supernova pumps that compete head-to-head with the Model 37). Comparable in semi-premium positioning.
• Browning: Premium American firearms brand (historically tied to John Browning, designer of the Model 37) offering high-end shotguns including pumps and autoloaders. Competes with Ithaca at the premium end of the hunting and sporting shotgun market.
• Mossberg: Leading American manufacturer of pump-action shotguns (Maverick 88, 500, 590) directly competing with the Model 37 in hunting, tactical, and home-defense segments. Similar price points and customer overlap.
• Colt's Manufacturing: Original manufacturer of the 1911 pistol and a direct competitor to Ithaca's 1911 .45 ACP line. Overlapping customer base in competitive shooting and collecting segments, with comparable premium pricing.
• Winchester Repeating Arms: Iconic American firearms manufacturer offering shotguns (including pump-action SXP), rifles, and ammunition. Comparable to Ithaca as a heritage American shotgun brand competing for the same hunting and shooting sports customers.
• Kimber Manufacturing: Specialist 1911 and premium handgun manufacturer whose target buyer (premium 1911 enthusiasts) substantially overlaps with Ithaca's 1911 customers. Comparable premium positioning and direct-to-consumer emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• Smith & Wesson: Large American firearms manufacturer with a broad product portfolio across handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Competitor in the 1911/M&P pistol space and a broader incumbent in the same retail channels, but with much wider product breadth.
• Beretta USA: Global firearms manufacturer with a substantial U.S. shotgun business (A300, A400, 1301). Overlaps with Ithaca in hunting and tactical shotgun segments but at significantly greater scale and broader product range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ithacagunco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ithaca-gun-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ithaca Gun Company