Fox Collectors

Hello everyone,

Google led me here after my local Pawn Shop contacted me to see if I had any interest in "an old shotgun that just came out". They know I am a sucker for old wood. I stopped by to check the shotgun out and it was a 16 gauge Sterlingworth with two sets of barrels (one was 26 inches in length and the second set was 28 inches).

The receiver and both sets of barrels are stamped with serial numbers 374757. Both sets of barrels reflect Utica, NY. The gun locked up tight, but has definitely been used. The received still has a decent amount of case hardening on it. The wood is not that great (butt stock is in rougher shape than both forearms), but no visible cracks in any of the wood.

I regret to admit that I had never even heard of a Sterlingworth, but the gun has me intrigued. They had it marked at $600, but told me they would let me have it for $500 out the door if I was interested in it----as they have made a few dollars off of me in the past. They also know that I truly enjoy the history of the firearms I buy---most of them being older military guns.

Again, the gun is not in the best condition possible, but it is solid and feels good for my short arms.

I wish I had taken pictures when I went there, but it was close to closing time and I did not want to keep them after hours----as I have done that before.

My questions to you folks who know wayyyy more than me, 1) is the gun worth rescuing at that price point and 2) was the extra set of barrels common with these guns?

Thank you in advance for your time and input.

Allen

Allen, seems to me that that is a great price for a 16ga S/w 2 bbl set if the gun is safe & sound as you say.
tjw

MARSHFELLOW wrote:Allen, seems to me that that is a great price for a 16ga S/w 2 bbl set if the gun is safe & sound as you say.
tjw

tjw,

Thank you for the input. We don't see many double guns come through this area, so I didn't want to let the supply demand situation fog my mind. This particular shop is typically fair (from pawn shop standards around here) on price.

Thanks, again.

Allen

I'd snap it up in a second.

ROMAC wrote:I'd snap it up in a second.

ROMAC,

I feel my wallet getting lighter by the minute. Older guns with wood stocks seem to get a lot of my money. Christmas is right around the corner, so this may be a justified purchase. I guess that's a fair justification!!!

No question at that price it would make a great Christmas present for you.

Jolly

that's at least half price from your description.....maybe more....

jolly bill wrote:No question at that price it would make a great Christmas present for you.

Jolly

Thanks, Bill.

Santa Claus is starting early. I let the pawn shop know that I will be coming by to pick it up.

gunut wrote:that's at least half price from your description.....maybe more....

Really? Even being the Savage Utica version with the stock having some finish issues?

That is good to know.

Thank you.

Two original barrels would made it an excellent candidate for an upgrade sometime down the road.

I am having a second set of barrels made for a custom project that I have in the works and the extra barrels in the white were more than the asking price of your entire gun.

I think you get the picture. Buy it for that money. If you don’t like post it for sale and you can make a handsome profit!!

ROMAC wrote:Two original barrels would made it an excellent candidate for an upgrade sometime down the road.

I am having a second set of barrels made for a custom project that I have in the works and the extra barrels in the white were more than the asking price of your entire gun.

ROMAC,

Thank you for that information. I went by the pawn shop after worked today and picked the shotgun up. The shop manager told me one of "the other regulars" called him about an hour after me today and asked about the gun. The manager let him know that it was spoken for already. It is sad that I am known as "one of the regulars".

I will not have time to clean the old girl up tonight, but tomorrow she will get a decent once-over. Again, she is not that pretty on the wood and has a few outer blemishes on the barrels, but she seems solid where it counts. If she could talk, there would be many stories.

Thanks, again.

Foxnut wrote:I think you get the picture. Buy it for that money. If you don’t like post it for sale and you can make a handsome profit!!

Foxnut,

I have the problem of acquisition without relinquishing that which has been acquired when it comes to firearms. I could probably sell some for profit over what was given initially, but I am afraid I would regret it---this may be a neurological issue. It may be different if I knew someone would enjoy the gun more than me. Maybe some day I will have to give it a try, but for now, the old girl will get some special attention!!!

Thanks for the suggestion.

Allen

Allen,

If you get the chance, I'm sure we would all like to see some pictures of your new acquisition.

Looking forward to it.

And you did GOOD.

Jolly

jolly bill wrote:Allen,

If you get the chance, I'm sure we would all like to see some pictures of your new acquisition.

Looking forward to it.

And you did GOOD.

Jolly

I'll try to get some photos up soon. Thanks, again.