Utica Sterlingworth 20 —> C-grade custom profiled/rebated

[Fox20obsessed]

You can just barely see the forend escutcheon in this pic. That’s my old man cave/shop...haven’t put one together at the new house yet.

[Silvers]

Nice wood and shaping on that stock. I like the smallish beavertail. Looking good.

[Fox20obsessed]

Frank,
Thanks for the compliments on the stock work. I made the semi-beavertail “smallish” as you described it on purpose to maintain a good balance point and also to keep the forend from looking too clunky. I set the balance point with shells in it right at the hinge pin. It feels balanced but lively and fits pretty well. The semi beavertail gives me a nice forehand grip and I will enjoy using this on clays without feeling the hot barrels. I made the “wrap” coming up the sides of the tubes only come up so far as I’ve seen a lot of broken forends in that area over the years. Anyway, I’ll have pics of the finished gun to post when it makes its way back home.
-Matt

[Jeff S]

I love the wood. Very nice

[Fox20obsessed]

Thanks Jeff!

[Fox20obsessed]

Fox nation,
It’s been a while but this project is almost wrapped up so I wanted to post a few pics before I get it back. The case coloring is a tad dark but they should wear quickly with no top-coat. I’m pleased with how it’s coming along and can’t wait to have it back in the safe.
-Matt

[Fox20obsessed]

Here are a few pics of the checkering...Dan did a fantastic job as always.
-Matt

[eightbore]

A pretty great thread. Murphy

[Jeff S]

I love the pistol grip. It looks beautiful. Jeff

[Fox20obsessed]

Guys,
I received this upgrade all wrapped up in the mail a few weeks ago from Dan and wanted to post some pics of it all wrapped up. Just to provide a bit of a wrap-up I did the all of the action shaping and the restock. Dan did the checkering and the finish as well as the case hardening and rust bluing. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome, especially the engraving. Shot it the other day and she functioned flawlessly. I will say that I like having a manual safety while hunting, but it can sometimes be a PITA if you are shooting clays. Thanks for following along with the project and I hope y’all enjoy the pics. I would have never been able to afford an original c-grade 20 and so I decided to just give it a go.
Thanks for looking!
-Matt

[Fox20obsessed]

More.

[Fox20obsessed]

Some more, sorry some of the pics are rotated. Note how I filed the muzzle end of the ribs as seen on many C and higher grades.
-Matt

[Fox20obsessed]

This gun has factory 2.75” chambers and factory IC/Mod chokes...

[jolly bill]

Hi Matt,

Great job by you and Dan. It sure is a sweet looking gun. And it shoots well for you.

What's not to like?

Thanks for taking us through the process to the end with some great pictures.

Bill

[vaturkey]

Looks wonderful indeed. Nice package for sure.