The Most Iconic Horror Movie Gun? Ithaca 37 with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

Published on October 29, 2025
Duration: 20:52

This video explores the Ithaca Model 37 shotgun, highlighting its iconic status in horror and sci-fi cinema. Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson details its design origins, unique bottom-ejection system, and specific variants like the 'DS Police Special'. The discussion emphasizes its prevalence in films such as 'Aliens', 'The Terminator', and 'Saw', and its enduring appeal due to its reliability and distinctive features.

Quick Summary

The Ithaca Model 37 shotgun is renowned in horror and sci-fi cinema for its iconic status, largely due to its unique bottom-ejection system and reliable pump-action. This design, which ejects shells downwards and loads from the bottom, gives it a distinctive 'slabsided' appearance. Its frequent appearances in films like 'Aliens' and 'The Terminator' have solidified its place as a memorable movie firearm.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Iconic Horror Firearm?
  2. 00:36The Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun
  3. 02:09Ithaca 37: Design and History
  4. 02:22DS Police Special Variant
  5. 03:39Hunting Heritage Engravings
  6. 04:10John Moses Browning Design Origins
  7. 04:31Unique Bottom Ejection System
  8. 05:24Pump Action and Iconic Sound
  9. 05:39Key Movie Appearances: Aliens
  10. 06:15Hicks's Close Encounters Shotgun
  11. 07:11Vietnam Navy SEAL Modifications
  12. 07:27Prop Design for 'The Professionals'
  13. 08:32Aliens: Xenomorph Encounter
  14. 08:55Survival of the Pump-Action Shotgun
  15. 09:19Modern Military Applications
  16. 09:55Magazine Capacity and Movie Utility
  17. 10:25Heirloom Weapons in Sci-Fi
  18. 11:18Cements as a Horror Movie Gun: Halloween 2
  19. 11:43The Terminator Movies
  20. 12:11Kyle Reese's Shotgun in Terminator
  21. 13:12Saw: Police Protagonists' Weapons
  22. 13:43The Thing (1982)
  23. 14:14Near Dark: Vampire Movie Appearance
  24. 14:43They Live
  25. 14:55TV Appearances: The Walking Dead, The Last of Us
  26. 15:05Supernatural Series
  27. 15:21Video Game Appearances
  28. 15:53Rock Salt Trope in Shotgun Ownership
  29. 16:37Supernatural Shotgun and Salt
  30. 17:24Conclusion: Most Iconic Horror Firearm?
  31. 18:21Royal Armouries Museum Events

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Ithaca Model 37 a notable firearm in horror movies?

The Ithaca Model 37 is considered iconic in horror cinema due to its frequent appearances, its reliable pump-action mechanism, and its distinctive bottom-ejection system which gives it a 'slabsided' look. Its presence in films like 'Aliens' and 'The Terminator' has cemented its status.

What is the significance of the 'DS Police Special' variant of the Ithaca 37?

The 'DS Police Special' variant of the Ithaca 37, with 'DS' meaning 'Deer Slayer', was designed for hunting with slugs and later adopted by police. It often features specialized sights for accuracy with slugs and was produced in the mid-to-late 1970s.

What is the unique design feature of the Ithaca Model 37 shotgun?

The most distinctive feature of the Ithaca Model 37 is its bottom-ejection system. Unlike most shotguns that eject spent casings from the side, the Ithaca 37 ejects them downwards, and loads new rounds from the bottom port, creating a 'slabsided' receiver.

Which famous horror and sci-fi movies feature the Ithaca Model 37 shotgun?

The Ithaca Model 37 has a prominent role in films such as 'Aliens' (used by Corporal Hicks), 'The Terminator' (used by Kyle Reese), 'The Thing' (1982), 'Saw', and 'Near Dark'. It also appears in TV shows like 'The Walking Dead'.

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