Stock for Fox Sterlingworth 12 gage

[Davero]

I received this Fox Sterlingworth . I was going through it and noticed the stock is in worse shape than I thought , see pics . Where would one find a stock to restock this gun ? Thank you

[Researcher]

Stocks were to a greater or lesser degree hand fitted and they won't just swap. The shape of the frames where the stock fit up to it also changed over time. Getting a new stock properly inlet is time consuming and spendy. Going to cost more than a 12-gauge Sterlingworth is worth in the marketplace. Probably a good place to start would be Show Me Gunstocks in Warsaw, MO. Depending on how much you are willing to spend, there are several top-notch custom stock makers, some post on this site.

[simcgunner]

custom stocks are expensive. I would send the gun to Mason gunstocks. they have a bad rap for their semi-inletted stocks. But If you send the gun to them and let them do the entire job you might be pleasantly surprised. years ago I had them do a sterly for me and it blew me away at the great job they did. If you know your stock dimensions after a fitting they will make it. mine came out wonderful but I picked out better wood and finer checkering than originally on the Sterley.

[Maggiemollie]

With all due respect, what was the condition you expected? That condition by any picture i can envision is totally destroyed.

[Brian Dudley]

If you mean Macon (not Mason), stay away from them entirely. They are horrible. I cannot believe they are still in the business.

If you do mean MASON. Then I dont know, I have never heard of them.

[Davero]

So I took the time and repaired the stock using modern day adhesives and I think it came out great . The patches where someone ran a flathead s tee and washer down through need to be blended better but it is good for now .

[Jeff S]

Wow! Good for you. You’ll get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment out of that stock. Nice job!

[bbman3]

You need to go into stock repair business! Bobby

[Foxnut]

Davero,
Fantastic job on the stock repair. I think if that holds and you shoot it well use it that way as long as you can. Great job!!! Well done!

[cockerman]

Nice work ... do you have pics of the finished stock prior to attaching it to frame ? Internal bits ... Would love to see how that all came together . Good job !
Kind regards , Jim

[67galaxie]

Great job!

[Davero]

Thank you guys ! It has been a bucket list item to restore an old SXS for years , I found this one and I knew it needed some love . Someone had tried to repair the stock but it did not hold . It looks as though they used a wood glue of some sort . The stock was oil soaked so a few soakings in acetone until it was clear revealed areas where glue was . I scraped it all out and infact used the screw as a stud to hold the major portion that was broken off in . I used the West system with walnut wood flour and coated both pieces , some fancy clamping and it worked out . The key was to make sure all metal fit after this was complete . I did notice the back tang screw was bent and could not figure it out but it was evident the recoil was not being taken by the end of the stock but by that screw . I got deeper into it and reset all the metal the best I could so now the recoil shock will be taken down the length of the wood stock at the same time I matched the wood to the metal better to minimize the steps that had clearly been compromised over the years . I then rust blued the barrels . Pretty cool project . My buddy said I should close down my fishing reel repair business and gunsmith . Lol we will see . Thank you for all the posts on the forums as I have learned a lot .

[Jeff S]

Thanks for the additional pictures and detailed explanation. I’m envious of your skills. Since many members are not active on the “forum”, this would make a great newsletter article.

[Silvers]

Last picture: I don’t see the “trapezoid” that bears against the boss on the trigger plate to draw the stock head tight against the frame. Looks like it was broken out or possibly removed because someone thought it was irrelevant. I’d suggest you inlet/epoxy/screw in some walnut and shape to recreate the trapezoid. The “recoil shock” as you termed it should be directly borne by the stock head not along the length nor at the very end of the tang, and the trapezoid insures that happens. frank

[44whiskey]

fine job, very impressed with results. thanks for posting