Ejector 20 Sterly brush gun

[SPE33]

Made it up to the Michigan antique arms show yesterday and came home with a new-old gun.Found on a table a very nice 1928 Sterlingworth brush gun with ejectors in 20 gauge.Case colors and the wood rate 80% and the barrels are closer to 90 %.Sold an early B grade I had brought along and I had been wanting a Philly 20 gauge for a while.The ejectors were a plus.Well,Idid not go home empty handed.I was wondering about how many guns like this were made and what the going price for one in this kind of condition might be? All input will be appreciated.

[Researcher]

I was wondering about how many guns like this were made

The answer to that is unknowable, until the day somehow the Sterlingworth records at Savage are tabulated.

[Jeff S]

I embarrassed to say that I have never attended that show. In the Michigan, the "gun & knife shows" typically don't have the guns that I like to look at. After reading your post, I "googled" the show and it sounds interesting. You purchased a very nice gun, but aside from that one, were there some quality guns at the show? Jeff

[Jeff S]

Oh, by the way... I have a 1918 20 ga. Sterlingworth brush gun with ejectors. I love it. As for value, about a month ago I fondled a very nice 20 ga. Sterlingworth at a gun shop and I think they were asking $2,700. I don't remember the specifications, because I wasn't interested. It seemed a little high to me, but admittedly, it has in real nice condition. Jeff

[oldr31]

I'm not sure that I understand the term SW "Brush Gun". Is it labeled that way or is it a reference to chokes or barrel length?

As far as value is concerned, my thumb rule is to add $500-$600 to the price of a similar 12 ga. SW in like condition. This generally puts you in the $2000 range, plus or minus a bit. In any event, you sound like a happy camper.

R.

[vaturkey]

I'm not sure that I understand the term SW "Brush Gun". Is it labeled that way or is it a reference to chokes or barrel length?

As far as value is concerned, my thumb rule is to add $500-$600 to the price of a similar 12 ga. SW in like condition. This generally puts you in the $2000 range, plus or minus a bit. In any event, you sound like a happy camper.

R.

Based on what I've seen 20 gauges will run quite a bit higher then a comparable 12 gauge. If one can find 12 gauge ejector in real nice condition (good case color) for $1,400 they have done well. That same gun in 20 gauge will run well over $2,200 based on current prices I've seen.

[Researcher]

I'm not sure that I understand the term SW "Brush Gun". Is it labeled that way or is it a reference to chokes or barrel length?

The barrel length of the Sterlingworth was defined from beginning to end by the terms STANDARD (30-inch), FIELD (28-inch). BRUSH (26-inch) was added in 1911, and TRAP (32-inch) was added in the 1913 A.H. Fox Gun Co. catalogues.

[SPE33]

I always enjoy this show.If you go,I think Saturday is better.There
were 3 small bore-higher grade Ithacas on the same table as the
Fox.Also saw a few Model 21 Winchesters and a L.C.Smith Ideal and
a Specialty grade.Also a Iver Johnson Skeeter in 20 gauge.Looked
like it was re-done but a pretty good job of it.$1650.
All it takes to turn a good show into a REAL good show is finding
the one thing you are looking for.

[oldr31]

Thanks to Researcher for explaining the SW terminology for me. I certainly appreciate it. I have a 12 and a 20, both with 28" barrels. They are pretty much the only guns I shoot any more. The 20 ga. is a joy to carry in the field as it is right at 6 lbs.

R.