Yes Brian, they are no doubt usually undervalued, but I have no explanation. When I first got into doubles, Sterlingworths and NID's in like condition were priced almost equally. Both are well made vintage American doubles that have a rotary bolt. I think the NID was a big improvement in both strength and appearance over the Flues. I have 3 Flues models, a 16 and 2 20's, I bought for parts that have barrels split around the forearm. Coincidence, more time to get mud or snow in a barrel, or thinner weaker tubes? That similar pricing seemed to change dramatically in about the mid-1990's, and I attributed some of the increased demand for Foxes to Michael McIntosh's book and the gunsmiths who began using field grade Foxes as the basis for semi-custom upgrades. But who really knows? A few years ago, I watched a nice 16 ga. NID sit on a table at a fairly large gun show all day with a $300.00 price tag. Sounds like it was in a bit better condition than yours... no rust, 95% blue, 40-50% case colors, unmolested and uncut, cocking indicators, great wood with strong checkering, a little varnish flaking at the buttplate. I went back and looked several times thinking it was very cheap, but I didn't really need it. On my way out, I went back and offered $225.00, and bought it for $235.00. How could you go wrong? How could so many guys who would break their arm reaching for their wallet to pay over a grand for a similar condition 16 ga. Trojan or Sterlingworth walk right by that NID? I do consider the Sterlingworth more attractive, but not that much. Some might disagree, but I like them a whole lot more than the current crop of field grade Turkish made doubles that sell for a lot more. Great values.
