Philly or Utica preference

[Goldenfox]

Hello,
I am new to this forum. Perhaps you could assist me in clearing up a bit of confusion. It seems that some people think the Utica guns are inferior to the Philly guns. A gunsmith once told me not to waste my time in restoring or upgrading/customizing a Utica gun, and that only a Philly gun is worthy of such an endeavor. Based on that advice, I am currently having a 16ga Sterlingworth ejector customized/bespoke for me.
I am also working on a 12ga Philly SW extractor myself. I have had the dents removed from the #2 weight barrels and have polished out the rust and other damage. That took me 30 hours! But it is my first attempt at such a thing. My next first attempt will be stock-making. I built up the original, cracked, oil-saturated stock with bondo to get approximate modern dimensions that will actually fit me. Once the bondo dried, I took it to the patterning board, and was rather pleased. It patterned at 70% above, 30% below the point of aim. Now I will get the stock duplicated on a nice piece of American walnut and start the inletting and shaping. I'm in no hurry, but I hope I don't screw it up too much.

[abner]

Welcome to the Fox group, it sounds like you have worked on other restorations in the past. What other guns have you restored? I have both Philly and Utica guns and I love them all. I would not let the birth place of a Fox keep me from buying it, judge each gun on its own merit. Many fine guns came out of Utica, but because of hard times Savage did cut costs to survive the 1930's. I'm sure you will hear from others on this subject. Take photos of your progress and share them with us.

[MARSHFELLOW]

......what Abner said works for me.

tjw

[bbman3]

I like smallbores.I prefer the earlier Philly guns. Bobby

[Fin2Feather]

I love it when the aficionados fight over those vaunted Philly guns; it leaves the Utica Foxes for the likes of me ! Seriously, I agree with Abner's assessment.

[Researcher]

judge each gun on its own merit.

Truer words never spoken!! Absolutely right Abner.

[TOOL MAN]

Very eloquently stated Abner!! No different than exclaiming that Remington-era Parkers were also inferior. Hogwash!!

[Stan Hillis]

I am soooooo glad some collectors and shooters really like Utica guns!

SRH

[Goldenfox]

Abner,
This 12ga extractor gun is the first gun I have ever attempted to restore myself. "I have never let ignorance impede my desire to achieve". Sometimes it just doesn't work out right. I do make long bows, and have taught the boy scouts to do so. I make a bit of jewelry now and again, so I do have some metal-working and wood-working knowledge. I did make a stock for my .243 about 30 years ago, but that was my only attempt to do anything with guns. This project will be a learning experience for me, so if anyone out there has knowledge about what I am attempting, input will be greatly appreciated. I will keep everyone updated with photos.

[Goldenfox]

It seems like the pictures show up, but this site doesn't like the "big image" from Hunt101.com, so I'll try again with "medium image".
The fences are being sculpted to fit the contours of the barrels.

[Mike of the Mountain]

I love it when the aficionados fight over those vaunted Philly guns; it leaves the Utica Foxes for the likes of me ! Seriously, I agree with Abner's assessment.

+1 here!! I totally agree with you F2F.