HE vs. Wildfowl

[bnbrown]

All,

I'm new to the forum and new to the world of double guns in general. This forum is outstanding and has greatly increased my interest in Fox guns. At this point, I'm particularly interested in old waterfowling guns. I've read many posts on here regarding the HE Super Foxes and a few regarding the Sterlingworth Wildfowl. I gather that some say they essentially are the same gun in terms of frames and barrels. I've also seen comments suggesting that the Wildfowl is relatively rare. However, I'm curious as to whether one is more valuable than the other, assuming both are in comparable condition. Any thoughts on that? Again, from a total newcomer, thanks for the insight.

By the way, I mailed a membership form and check earlier this week. I'm looking forward to learning more!

[Researcher]

There were about 950 12-gauge Super-Fox doubles built to probably around 35 Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowls. The Super-Fox was stocked with better wood and most had the .750" or .738" overbored barrels with careful choking. All the Fox Sterlingworth Wildfowls I've measured have pretty much "standard" 12-gauge boring and chokes, as do some of the late Savage-era Super-Fox guns.

[eightbore]

To answer the question, a collector who owns five HE Grade Foxes, the Sterlingworth Wildfowl would be worth more than the sixth HE.

[fox-admin]

There are so few Wildfowls sold it is impossible to make a comparison in my opinion. As Eightbore said if a collector had to have a Wildfowl it could sell for more than a equal condition Super Fox.
If you were collecting all the different Sterlingworths, the Wildfowl would be one of the most difficult to find.
I also am primarily interested in waterfowl guns, 12 gauge is my small bore gun!!! To a waterfowl hunter interested in vintage guns there is nothing like dropping a green head with a Super Fox.

[Stan Hillis]

To add another angle to the question, were any SW Wildfowls chambered 3 inch?

SRH

[Researcher]

To add another angle to the question, were any SW Wildfowls chambered 3 inch?

SRH

Every one I've examined was chambered for 3-inch shells. Maybe mine flowed down the river of commerce too cheap!!

[Silvers]

Some additional comments here:

At least a few HE's were made with regular 12-gauge bore sizing (nominal .730" diameter). I'm aware of three such guns since I started keeping records. Also, almost all 12-gauge HE's were choke-regulated for 1-1/4 ounce of shot, or for 1-3/8 ounce if factory chambered for 3-inch. On the other hand the SW Wildfowl was introduced at about the same time when the max 3-inch payload was increased to 1-5/8 ounce. As a friend would likely comment: "when the gun goes bang that extra 1/4 or 3/8 ounce has to go somewhere".

The one and only Sterlingworth Wildfowl I ever saw advertised for sale was in December 2014 on GI as I recall - it had a price of $7K. I called the seller to discuss and to see if he had any room on that price and he replied with a polite NO. I didn't pursue it and figured I'd wait a few days and check again. But by then that same gun was shown as sold. Bottom line - that 32/3inch SW Wildfowl sold for $7K or thereabouts = same neighborhood as a good 32/3-inch HE.

Silvers

[bbman3]

My wildfowl had 32 inch barrels chambered for three inch shells and at least 95 percent original finish with factory butt plate.I liked my HE better. Bobby

[Researcher]

That Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowl that sold in December 2014 was one of the last guns made and was really kind of a Hybred with Super-Fox like wood and barrels with a Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowl receiver. It had a graded gun serial number and the barrel flat was stamped 3 IN.



The Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowls with Sterlingworth serial numbers that I have observed were stamped like this --

[Stan Hillis]

Bobby, I like your HE, too!

Thanks all, for the info. Any 2 3/4" Wildfowls ever been observed?

SRH

[scaupman]

FYI, the SW Wildfowl (#35281) offered for $7K on GI in December 2014 was totally redone.

[Researcher]

Are you sure it was "totally" redone by Dougy? I have not observed him ever doing that style of cyanide case colors, and from much of what I've read lately, cyanide case coloring is no longer possible because of OSHA/EPA regulations. I could believe the wood was redone, and the barrels reblued.

[scaupman]

Dave,

Yes, besides the wood, barrels, and trigger guard finishes, the receiver case colors had also been redone - there were pits underneath the "new" colors.

Fox Sterlingworth was engraved on the receiver, which was a concern - has anyone seen a righteous SW with the Sterlingworth markings engraved rather than stamped?

Sorry, I misspoke earlier and thus edited my previous post: I only "suspected" that Turnbull had done it, but did not know for sure.

It looked like the restoration was done some time ago.

[Researcher]

- has anyone seen a righteous SW with the Sterlingworth markings engraved rather than stamped?

Yes, I've seen other Savage-era Fox-Sterlingworths with the legend on the sides of the receiver engraved. I figured it was a short term thing while a new roll-stamp was being made but in the case of such a late gun as the one in question, it might just have been done to get some final product out the door. Totally unrelated, some of the very earliest The Sterlingworth Co. doubles had the legends on the barrels and the sides of the receivers engraved, probably before they got roll-stamps made.

[scaupman]

Dave,

Here's a photo of the engraved "Fox Sterlingworth" markings on Wildfowl #35281 - so do you think it was a Savage factory engraving?