I have a model 37, serial number 384854, that was given to me new in 1957. Presuming that serial numbers are assigned consecutively, your model 37, serial number 383952 is likely to have been made in 1957 or 1958.
Add: 8-8-09 The above writer appears to have been given "new old-stock" back in '57, and was gifted with a Model 37 manufactured in 1951. See: http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=226627&SearchTerms=ithaca
and:
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=42032
Call Ithaca at 1 877 648 4222 and they will tell you.
You would need to include the model number or name of your Ithaca firearm,along with the serial number to get the correct answer.
Your serial number indicates that you have a Ithaca crass model double,that was made in 1903.
You can tell how old your Ithaca gun is by the model and serial number
A model 37 with the serial # 10464 was produced in 1939.
The serial number indicates Ithaca manufactured your Model 37 in 1956.
1947
1947
1970
It sounds as if you have a Ithaca Crass model shotgun,that was produced in the year 1903 by your serial number.
It sounds to me that you have a Ithaca Flues model double barrel shotgun.With the serial number that you provided,your shotgun was made by Ithaca in 1917.
The serial number indicates your gun was made in 1955.