Need some assistance

[BobNC]

I have a Fox Sterlingworth 12 Ga. w/30" barrels, pistol grip ser # 94222. I have owned it since my 16th birthday(gift from my father). The gun has not been fired in at least 28 years. I now live in SE NC and would like the gun evaluated to find out one is it worth restoring and as I would like to pass it onto my grandson is it safe to shoot. The barrels are stamped Sterlingworth Fluid Compressed Steel, Made by AH Fox Gun Company, Philadelphia, Pa USA. If you know of anyone in this area that could do the evaluation and recommend someone to do the restoration I would appreciate it. The gun was originally purchased in 1952 for $50.00 in Southern NJ.

Thanks
Bob

[George Lander]

Bob: I would recommend Jim Kelly at The Darlington Gun Works, 516 S. Governor Williams Highway, Darlington, South Carolina Phone (843) 393-3931. He does all my work & is well respected by many here. That sould not be too far from SE NC.

Best Regards, George

[eightbore]

Or take it over to Phil Futrell at Mid South Guns in Wagram over west of Fayetteville and he'll tell you about your gun. He buys and sells about a half million dollars worth of Fox guns every year and he won't try to buy yours because he is a gentleman. You will enjoy visiting his shop. Call first to make sure he is not on the road with a couple hundred of his guns for a show.

[BobNC]

Thank You very much. I will give them both a call.

Bob

[jolly bill]

Having your Sterlingworth checked by someone competent to insure its safe to use is a good idea but curious why you're thinking about "restoring" a gun you've had since 1952.

In my opinion, there's nothing that can beat the classy looks of a well cared for but carefully used Fox double. Especially one you're thinking about passing down to a grandson.

It might sound kind of sappy but I would prefer a gun handed down to me by my grandfather, father or uncle that was carefully used but showed those marks on the gun put there by many years afield with friends, relatives and dogs.

Just my opinion.

Jolly

[abner]

I agree with Jolly Bill, I would rather have the unrestored gun from my grandfather-father-son. The son will be holding the same stock with the same marks that people ahead of him made. It would be like taking a 1909-S VDB penny and putting it to the buffing wheel.

[Fin2Feather]

The gun was originally purchased in 1952 for $50.00 in Southern NJ.

Bob,

I imagine there are several folks here who would be happy to give you what you paid for the gun !

[BobNC]

The gun hasn't been used for quite some time. When I did use it it was mostly for duck hunting on the south jersey salt marshes. Needless to say it took some rough use. Also the stock where it meets the metal seems to be a little loose.

Fin2Feather , you have to remember in 1952 $50.00 was more then a weeks work for alot of us. Dad had to scrimp to be able to afford it.