Tweaked Sterly 16

[vaturkey]

As some know I am prone to tweaking things and well, I just like to have things tweaked. This started life as a Philly Sterly 16 gauge with 28 inch barrels with Full and Mod chokes. Bought it cheap and it arrived with an honest to God 3 1/4" DAH. That wouldn't work for anyone, so I planned to sent it out it out for restocking. Dug around in the blank chest and found a piece of medium grade Turkish, quartersawn with super layout.

Decided this particular blank was not large enough to provide a forearm, unless I decided to go with a straight grip. Talked to Matthew Begley and he worked into his slammed schedule an extension to the pistol grip triggerguard and some shaping of the firearm iron.

Off it went to a Ebbie Jones in Mo for restocking. A year later stocking was completed and I liked the outcome so much I decided to commision Gournet to turn it into an A grade. That was completed about a month ago, after Mathew polished and prepped the metal work.

Back to Matthew where he sent it out to the folks who took over for John Gillete, while Matthew rust blued the barrels.

All back together now and I will see it later this week as Matthew hands it to me at the Southern.

PS. Also sent the barrels to Dean Harris who opened the chokes to Skeet 1 and Skeet 2 and safely extended the chambers to accommodate 2 3/4".

Couple of pics attached.

[Jeff S]

Beautiful wood Tom. Maybe you’ll shoot a Michigan woodcock with it. Thanks for posting.

[44whiskey]

lovely Tom,im glad to see a straight stock in your collection of fine customs.very proud for you, Fred

[vaturkey]

lovely Tom,im glad to see a straight stock in your collection of fine customs.very proud for you, Fred

Thanks Fred. I've got a couple of Skeet and Upland game guns, but this is my first custom. I shoot the SKUG guns pretty well and want to play with this one a bit and see how I like it. This one is lighter then my small bore SKUG guns.

[ROMAC]

Tom,

That turned out really well. I really like your choke selection too.

[vaturkey]

Tom,

That turned out really well. I really like your choke selection too.

Little Brown Bird gun Roger. Here is a pic Matthew took when he was test firing it last week.

[Silvers]

Good for you Tom. Nice grain layout in that stock. There's nothing like a Fox straight grip smallbore. Now to start making some memories while out chasing fantails.

I wonder what your choke man did for Skeet 1 & 2 in a Fox 16 bore? frank

[vaturkey]

Good for you Tom. Nice grain layout in that stock. There's nothing like a Fox straight grip smallbore. Now to start making some memories while out chasing fantails.

I wonder what your choke man did for Skeet 1 & 2 in a Fox 16 bore? frank

Believe it was 5 and 15 Frank.

[bbman3]

Tom that is a super nice 16 gauge Fox! Bobby

[Silvers]

(Snip)

I wonder what your choke man did for Skeet 1 & 2 in a Fox 16 bore? frank

Believe it was 5 and 15 Frank.

Almost IC and Mod. An excellent eastern uplanding combo. Good deal Tom!

[Researcher]

That is quite a "tweak." Congrats on a great bird gun.

[vaturkey]

Found a pic when I bought the gun.

[Maggiemollie]

The wood is really nice. Very classy looking gun.

[zacharysmith]

I figured this was yours when I saw Matt's post. Looks great! Will look even better with a few bagged ruffys and doodles in a photo.