doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Sterlingworth, should I buy? (pictures attached)

I came across a Philly Sterlingworth and initially thought it was a Utica Skeet and Upland. The gun has been profesionally restocked with splinter forend and straight grip stock. Dimensions are 14.5" LOP to pad and 2.5" DAH. Gun is on face and tight. Bluing is probably redone and nearly 100%. About 40% case colors remain on exposed areas of frame. 28" barrels choked M/F. Chambers are 2 5/8" Seller wants $800 and I am thinking the restock had to cost at least $1200 or more. Seems like a nice shooter to me, what do you Fox guys think?

It sounds to me that you'd regret not buying it if you don't.

Some considerations: Gauge? Barrel condition? Quality of restock? Proper layout, pleasing grain, fit, etc.? Trigger guard extended?

bamboozler's right: Buy the SW at $800. If you don't like it when you get it then sell it & make money. If it's a 16 or 20 sell it & make lots of money.

Just My Humble Opinion.......George

Not a Fox guy but check the reblue carefully, if it was rust blued sounds like a deal. But if it was hot blued you might be in for an expensive repair.

yes, if stock dimensions fit you well.

I would be very surprised if the restocking didn't cost a bunch more than $1200.

I agree with the other guys, buy it and if you don't like it sell it. If you're looking for a shooter you may have found one.

Hack

I'm guessing your Sterlingworth is a 12 gauge.

What is the serial number and barrel length? And chokes?

If it's a 12 gauge with 26 inch barrels, straight stock and serial number in the 16XXXX range, it would be correct.

Jolly

Sorry not to state the obvious, it's a 12ga. Serial number in 149 range (I might have written down wrong as that would not be a Philly gun would it?) Again I thought it was a Skeet and Upland but knew it wasn't as soon as I saw it was a Philly gun.

Trigger guard was not extended but I believe I read somwhere the Skeet and Upland straight grip Sterly did not have an extended trigger guard, is that correct?

Gun points very naturally for me, just slightly long and I thought that could be fixed easily with a shorter pad.

Wood grain and finish is pleasing. Wood fit is just slighty proud as it should be.

Barrels are free of dents and bores shiny, chokes M/F, chambers 2 5/8", barrels ring.

Is there anyway to easily tell if it's a proper reblue?

I have never owned a fox but have always liked them. The gun is very pleasing to my eyes and points as naturally as any I have have. I thought the quality restock had cost more than the gun. I am not looking to make money but it is good to know that I would not be buying a pig in the poke.

I thought if I did anything I would replace the 1 inch pad with 1/2 pad for better fit and maybe have Mike Orlen open the chokes to IC and M.

And I am looking for a "shooter". I thought it might be a nice handling gun that might be the one to take on a day it's threatening to rain and leave my all original doubles of other makes at home.

Most any Sterlingworth is worth $800 if it doesn't come in a basket.

I bought it.

I went back tonight and looked it over again, this time with reading glasses :-) The barrels appear to be original blue 95% remaining. Serial number is 114xxx so I think that is about 1927. Checkering is crisp but is more course than the factory stocked sterly's I could campare it with. It also has a different pattern, pleasing but no attempt to fool anyone as original. Again the retock is professionally done (exceptionally well fit) and for a shooter I am very pleased. Thanks for the help. If anyone is interested I can post some pics later.