Fox Collectors

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and to the American Classic SxS scene. I'm an avid upland hunter over a Shorthaired Pointer and fan of the sub-gauge 20ga platform. I acquired a CZ Bobwhite in 20ga to see if I could manage double triggers and this worked out so I decided to move into something with a little more soul. I now see that this can be a dangerous path of no return:-)

I acquired what I thought was a good shape 20ga Philly Sterlingworth at a fair price. It seems nice with 28 inch barrels, an uncut stock with the std larger drop dimension of the Philly Era and the 2 1/2 chambers. Barrels may have been opened, for the best I measure is Left at 0.614"to0.590" and Right at 0.614" to 0.609" with my equipment. The gun weighs in right at 6 pounds even. I've had her out on birds once this season and she can do her part if I do mine.

My question, concerns the buttplate, it seems to be none original, see picture below, and I was considering trying to fit a replacement original replica to it. However, when I measure the stock and current buttplate as shown in picture below I can not seem to match it to any dimension of the replicas I find online.

- Do most have to be sanded quite a bit to fit?
- Should I worry about the center-to-center of the hole spacing and overall height/width and then sand to fit?
- Are any plates better than others? Is there a source anyone would recommended?
- And ultimately, is it even worth it?

Thanks for you time. Brad in Colorado....

I would shop on eBay for the best prices, which I have seen for $15.00 for 16/20 gauge plates. Gunbroker has some crazy prices, up to $35.00 or more. I wouldn't worry about matching the holes, as this could take more time than it is worth. Find a butt plate just a little larger than your butt measurements. Center it on the stock, apply the screws and mark for sanding. It won't be a quick process, but it can be done. I have wrapped my stocks with one layer of duct tape or aluminum tape so you won't damage stock finish if sanding with butt plate mounted. You may have to finish the plate with it removed. Take your time and it should come out alright. After you finish you can remove any tape goo with Goo-Gone or similar product.

FoxintheHenHouse

An alternative to finding a used one on eBay or GB, which was fit to another gun, and may have issues fitting to your stock properly (you are then SOL) you may consider a reproduction that could be fit perfectly to your gun. I would consider one of these: http://www.connecticutshotgun.com/produ ... utt-plate/

The CSMC buttplates are the best I have found.and they require working down to fit your stock correctly.Order the 16/20 ga one.Your 20 ga is a beauty. Bobby

Thanks for the quick responses and comments. Looks like one of the previous owners may have had a slip on recoil pad on it for a while and removed OEM buttplate to maintain LOP. There is a slight witness line in the stock finish where the leather may have rested and stopped.

I've heard of the CSMC plates. Looks like they offer two styles:
1) 1-3/4″ w x 5-1/4″ l, 3-23/32″ hole spacing, .383″ depth – Horizontal lines between screw holes, early guns.
2) 1-13/16″ w x 5-3/16″ l, 2-15/16″ hole spacing, .383″ depth – Horizontal lines between screw holes, later guns.

This gun appears to be a 1929 production, so do you think it would it be considered an 'early' or 'late' model? The late model matches the holes spacing and I do not see any other holes in the butt of the stock. I may try fitting one of the reproductions up to the stock.

Thanks again - Brad

Brad, darn nice looking Sterlingworth.

tjw

Brad, have you considered calling Jason Barden at Pumpkin Mountain Gunshop? Jason has a lot of original Fox parts that were never fitted to a gun. He could have an original Fox buttplate. I'd look him up online and give it a try. Your Sterly looks worthy of an original plate!

Mike

SmithShady wrote:Brad, have you considered calling Jason Barden at Pumpkin Mountain Gunshop? Jason has a lot of original Fox parts that were never fitted to a gun. He could have an original Fox buttplate. I'd look him up online and give it a try. Your Sterly looks worthy of an original plate!

Mike

That's the best advice yet . . . why didn't the rest of us think of that?
https://www.ahfoxparts.com/parts.html

Thanks for everyone's help, just a final update. I did contact Jason in regards to the OEM buttplate. He indicated he only has one of each 12/20 ga sized plates still left in inventory and these are being keep for reference use. He did direct me towards the correct period replica. I have it in hand, it fits the OEM screw holes; so now just have to decide if I tackle the sanding myself or send it out. This sounds like a good spring project after upland season closes this weekend here in the plain states. - Brad

bamboozler wrote:An alternative to finding a used one on eBay or GB, which was fit to another gun, and may have issues fitting to your stock properly (you are then SOL) you may consider a reproduction that could be fit perfectly to your gun. I would consider one of these: http://www.connecticutshotgun.com/produ ... utt-plate/

For everyone's future needs. Not all butt plates listed on eBay are used. Reproductions are available and sellers fight to to have the lowest prices sometimes. Check periodicly for availability and best prices. Usually much better than $35.00 (Gunbroker & Pumpkin Mountain) elsewhere, especially when all will need to be sanded most likely.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4 ... te&_sop=15

FoxintheHenHouse

Yes, Jason sources his buttplates. It is one of the few parts that he has that are NOT original.