Forearm question

[Fin2Feather]

My "new" A Grade 20ga c. 1914 has a Sterlingworth-style snap on forearm. Numbers all match. Was this typical of that grade at the time, or a customer request, or...? Thanks...

[JasonPeck]

I believe this could be a custom request, as some found the Sterlingworth style snap-on forends more secure than the Deeley Release style. But I'm only guessing.

[Researcher]

The graded smallbores generally had the snap-on/-off forearm from their introduction into about 1915/16. My 1913 vintage A-Grade --



CE-Grade 200109 --



Nothing of course is absolute, as 200002 has the Deeley forearm --



From my observations the Fox & Kremer or F.T. Russell style snap-on/-off forearm was generally used on the 20-gauges up to near 200600 and the Deeley was firmly in use by 200700. The engraving had firmly gone to the Gough style by 200300.

[Jeff S]

I'm far from an expert, but I noticed that the 16 ga. Grade B guns in Toolman's article in DGJ both had snap on forearms. I'm glad it was mentioned in the article because if I had found one at a show, I would have assumed that something was amiss. As always, we can learn a lot via this forum. jeff

[Stan Hillis]

Dave, if that is the original forend wood on 200109 it is in fabulous condition!

SRH

[Researcher]

The wood on 200109 had been refinished and the checkering recut. I saw it advertised for sale, but by the time I made contact with Jay back in 2004 it was gone, but he sent me a bunch more pictures of it. It is the CE-Grade equal to the DE-Grade 200108 that Tom Kidd did a DGJ article on early on, and later Steve Cobb had for sale, 30-inch barrels chambered for 3-inch shells and straight grip stock. Wonder where it is now. Marshfellow has/had another CE-Grade with that style forearm checkering pattern.