Sterlingworth/Fox 20 gauge double barrel - worth?

[Richard Hardin]

I have a Sterlingworth/Fox 20 gauge double barrel shotgun. Two triggers, 26 inch barrel, front bead sight, recoil pad, no ejectors but there are shell lifters (?). Looking at the serial number (261109) I think it was manufactured around 1929-30. The gun is in good shape with a few minor scratches on the stock and 2 small spots of rust on the barrel. From the pictures can anyone judge the value?

[Jolly Bill]

Richard,

Welcome to the forum.

You're pretty much in the ball park as to when your 20 gauge Fox Sterlingworth was made: the late 1920's.

It looks like the receiver has been either, or both, polished or plated. The original finish on the receiver would have been case colored which is a mixture of blues, greens, etc and with use and wear, would take on a subtle blueish gray color to just a dull to shiny finish. Your gun has a high polish looking finish and to me looks like it may have been plated.

That takes it out of the collector category and makes it a nice shooter. If the gun is sound and the rest of the gun is original, my guess as to its' value would be in the $800 to maybe as high as $1200 if you find the right buyer. That's the best estimate I can come up with from your pictures.

Hope this helps and hopefully, you'll get some more evaluations.

Jolly

[Infidel]

Got a couple questions?

Can you show a picture of the bottom and sides of the lock?

The other thing you should do is measure the bores, see how much wear you have there.


I recently accuired a savage/fox for my wife, it is sweet and I should feel bad for what I paid, but I don't.

The guy was a dealer and didn't know what he had. I have no sympathy for dealers that don't know what they are dealing, it business with them.

[Richard Hardin]

Thanks for the replies.

Can't say I'm not disappointed. This gun was inherited from my dad who always thought he had a collector's gun.

Infidel, I'm unable to take more pictures at the moment as the camera is unavailable to me right now.

I welcome any other opinions out there...

[Contenderizer]

My book says add 50% to value for 20 gauge, so if the gun were untouched I would estimate value at about $1800. How much you deduct for the work done to the receiver is subjective, but Jolly's estimate of $1200 feels about right.

The screw holding the trigger guard to the stock appears to be incorrect; have it replaced. Shell lifters are called extractors.

Keep it in the family Richard, and insure it for $2,000.

[Infidel]

Originally Posted by Contenderizer

My book says add 50% to value for 20 gauge, so if the gun were untouched I would estimate value at about $1800. How much you deduct for the work done to the receiver is subjective, but Jolly's estimate of $1200 feels about right.

The screw holding the trigger guard to the stock appears to be incorrect; have it replaced. Shell lifters are called extractors.

Keep it in the family Richard, and insure it for $2,000.

Best advice yet! But if you don't want to do that, I'll give you two bills for it.