Sterlingworth 12 gauge advice

[jobrien]

Several years ago I inherited a 12 gauge shotgun. I would like to find out more about it.

What I do know is;

Made by A.H. Fox Co., Phila PA is stamped on the barrel
30" barrel, non-ejector
Sterlington Fluid Compressed steel stamped on the barrel
serial number is 112231.
has a few patent dates stamped on it from 1904-1911.

I don't know when it was last fired or if it is usable. I live in central NJ and would like to take it someplace to be cleaned and learn more about it.



any suggestions ?

Thank you

[eightbore]

That's a lot of shotgun there. Could you post some more views of the sides, bottom, and stock? We think you have quite a nice gun.

[jobrien]

some more pictires;

[2X2]

Don't do any cleaning that would alter the original finish and patina and lose value on the gun. It is in pretty good condition. Made in 1926 I think. Buy a shotgun cleaning kit; about $15-20. Buy a product called Clennzoil. It can be used on the whole gun; wood included; most oils will damage wood. Put a few drops on a clean cloth and rub on the gun. If you see any rust spots, use 0000 steel wool with Clennzoil on the spot and rub gently. I usually go lightly over the whole barrels with the 0000 and oil. Sometimes, there are tiny spots of rust that are hard to see. Use grease from the kit to lub the hingh pin and hook and any metal to metal surface. It just takes a very light coat. There are instructions in the cleaning kit. Even if the barrels look clean, do the cleaning process described in the kit. There can be a film of rust in the bores you can't see.

I would say the gun is worth about $1200

[eightbore]

Do not use any abraisive, even 0000 steel wool on the receiver. The receiver of the gun appears to have some original case hardening color which can be damaged or removed by even the most gentle cleaning.

[vaturkey]

Do not use any abraisive, even 0000 steel wool on the receiver. The receiver of the gun appears to have some original case hardening color which can be damaged or removed by even the most gentle cleaning.

What eightbore said. At most, find yourself some fairly cheap (because they aren't as soft as the good ones) papertowels and use those with the Clennzoil to clean the exterior surface of the gun. Some folks use Ballistol and get good results as well.