Fox Sterlingworth at LGS
 

Saw this at the LGS today. Seems to be in good, condition. Tight on the face. Asking $2,400.

Does anything look restored? I’m very new to Fox guns..

I see prices all over the place on the internet. Does this one seem priced right to the Fox experts?

Fox SW
 

Difficult to tell from one pic, but appears to have lots of condition and good stock dims. If the finishes are original and you like the gun, you can always make an offer you think is reasonable.

The price seems a bit high if it's a Sterlingworth 12. What ga is this Brett?

Thanks gentlemen! It’s a sixteen gauge..

The case colors have been redone and possibly the wood finish freshened up.

The price is pretty steep for a sterlingworth 16.

Did you manage to capture the serial number??

I didn’t get the serial #. I’ll see it again and take a look.

Now that I think about it I’m sure Brian is right about the case colors. They are the exact same in protected areas as they are on exposed areas..

I so value this site. By posting here and listening to everyone’s generous comments I’m avoiding some rookie mistakes!

Best,
Brett

From your one picture I'm not as convinced as Brian is that it is refinished.

You might want to post this here....http://forum.foxcollectors.com/index.php

Aside from asking the owner of the gun, is there a way to tell if the cc has been re-done? What should I look for?

Statistically, it is pretty rare to find a Sterlingworth in this high of a condition. I would have to lean toward a restoration at some point. If the bores are good and the gun fits, it will make a great shooter. I think a price point about $500 less would be appropriate.

Looking at the head of the stock next to the metal it appears to me oil streaks left in the wood when refinished. It is nearly impossible to get all of it out when soaking and even with heat. If it is an original gun in such condition I would not expect to see oil penetration. I will either be wrong or right. Just my observation.

Brett, the cc on the receiver seems to have alot of grey in it. Most of my Foxes have more blues in the metal. Can't say about the wood, hard to see, but most Sterlys have more wear and tear. Nice price for a 16 though, seems about right if it's legit.

There's a wider variation in original Fox case colors than many realize. Good macro pics of the colors on both sides of the frame and its bottom/trigger plate will tell the story to the few Fox aficionados who are regulars here. Also would be helpful to correlate with the s/n or at least its first four digits to figure its approx date of birth. Regarding the wood, how about good macro pics of the wrist and forend checkering with at least part of their borders.

I wish I could post more than one "like" for Frank's first sentence. To be clear, I have no opinion about the gun in question.

Could possibly be the original cch, IMO. A bit high in price though, even for a nice 16, again IMO. Only way I'd consider that price is if it has 32" barrels. With "30s" or less, I'd put it in the $1800-1900 category.

A 16 gauge Sterly in good original condition with 32” barrels would be worth a fair bit more to me but I love the long barreled guns and I don’t have a long barreled Sterly 16.

Pictures as requested. :)

If it was me and I wanted it, I'd assume it's had some restoration work done and try to buy it for what I was willing to pay and shoot the heck out of it.

Now that I see some actual quality photos of the frame, I would now say that the colors do look original to me. The wood as well.

Brian,

Thanks so much for commenting!

Best,
Brett

I'm coming down on the side of that gun being right-as-rain and just the way we like to find them.

As Dave has written, right as rain both metal and what wood I can see.

I don't either, Dan, although I do have a Parker DHE 32" 16 and a 32" 16 ga. LC Smith. Both are wonderful dove guns. I would expect no less from a Sterly 32" 16.

A really nice gun, and if I wanted it I sure wouldn't let a few hundred bucks either way get in my way. JMO.

Sterlys are very good entry level sxs's, comparable to the Parker Trojan. The gun looks clean whether freshened or not. Price is not out of line for a 16. But consider how available 16 ga ammo is or isn't in your area before you buy it.

RST has plenty of 16 ammo available. Or they did this morning.

THANK YOU!

Brian is correct. I have a 20 with colors identical to this 16. I was suspicious about my 20 because it is different from other Sterlingworths I own. However, my 20 came out of the woodwork and is right as rain. There are different looks to different Sterlingworths. This 16 is pretty awesome. Price is up to the buyer.

Bill,

I did wind up buying the gun. Seems to be in nice condition. I may have over-paid a little, but not enough to matter. :)

Best,
Brett

Haaaaa, if that's your only crime, you just landed in Gen-Pop! And if anyone tells you differently, their nose is growing longer by the second! Nice Fox, right as rain. Newsflash: Bet it won't be your last!! :whistle:

Great look'n 16ga Fox, there is no such thing as over paying for something you really want, and can readily afford...... Fox's like that are hard to find.

Thanks for the wise words, gentlemen!

I’ve been on a little bit of a 16ga roll lately. In addition to this Sterlingworth, I bought a nice LeFever C grade 16ga at the same shop several weeks ago. I’m also looking pretty hard at a Parker Repro on GI that’s a 20 with an extra set of 16ga barrels.. :)

Brett

Brett, that 16 ga Sterly is fine. You got a very nice original Sterly and you'll enjoy shooting with it. Have fun.

How long are the chambers ? Would be my first question.

Mark,

The chambers are 2 5/8. I have another short chambered 16ga and have invested in loading equipment for 2.5 in shells - and have several cases of RST loaded ammo.

Best,
Brett

I agree with Brian. Stocks been refinished. Sterlingworth guns tend to have a fair amount of wear from use over the years. 16's were the popular upland gun esp here in the northeast for many years. This gun in my opion has been freshened up. Id buy it if i were you.

Allen,

Thanks for your thoughts, I did buy the gun and really like it!

Best,
Brett