doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com .16 Fox Sterlingworth in need of new barrel set

I have a Fox Sterlingworth .16 gauge (Serial# 3538xx) with a bulge in the left tube. I'm curious to know if anyone out there either has, or can help me locate, a set of replacement barrels. I know that a lot of collectors have these guns with two sets of barrels, and I'm hoping someone will sell me a spare set of .16s, or help me locate a set that aren't attached to a gun. Any feedback and/or leads are greatly appreciated.

Just so you know Fox barrels are hardly interchangeable. neither are Parker, LC Smith, etc. They were made before modern match matchining and were handfitted. If youfind a spare barrel you are 99.9 % certian to have to get the gun rejointed. if your barrel isn't bulged too bad you might get a qualified man to remove the bulge with a mandrel to hold bore size. That may be easier than going the spare barrel route.

Harriger55, First off welcome to the board! Second is, How big is the bulge and have you had a good double-gunsmith look at it?

Bulges depending on size and placement quite often can be repaired by someone who knows what they are doing. The big kicker is if the bulge separated the barrel at the rib joint.

Replacement barrels will be expensive & that's if you can find a set. First you have to purchase them, then you have to have them fit to the gun "if they will fit at all" more than likely they will need to be blued, Etc. There are some new old stock in the white barrels floating around. Most of these need one heck of a lot of work done to them and for a Sterlingworth it would be cost prohibitive. There is the option of sleeving, but that will start at about $2000.00

My suggestion is to call one of our members here Steve Bertram "SKB" 303-938-1996 and talk over your options with him. Steve is a great guy and a good double-gunsmith that won't steer you wrong.

I have a set still in the white if you are interested send PM.

You may well get more money into buying and having a gunsmith fit (that knows what he's doing) the barrels than a whole 16g Sterlingworth would cost.

I'd give some thought to having Steve Bertram asssess your gun and layout your options.

Timothy S ---- the PM doesn't work for everybody. I never could get it to work for me. How much for the bbl ? Ken )kenhurst@suddenlink.net( remove brackets

Thanks to everyone for their helpful replies. I think I'll contact Steve Bertram, as repairing the barrel is the option I most like as it best preserves the value. The bulge isn't bad, but noticeable. There's no cracks or breakage, and no separation from the rib. It may very well be repairable. I'll contact Steve and see what he can do.

Thanks again
Kelly Harriger
Harriger55

Thanks for the info on Bertram. I'll call him and send him some photos of the bulge to see if he thinks he can fix it. It's not bad, but the second you sight down the barrels, it becomes very noticeable.