Which one would it be???

NO ITEMS MAY BE POSTED FOR SALE ON THIS FORUM or direct references to items for sale. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: A personal item that’s obviously for sale or would appear to be for sale; or if a link is posted to some other site where the item is for sale. Please note that references to items posted elsewhere are ok for discussion as long as a direct link is not included. Any "Wanted to Buy" posts are not allowed and will be removed. The moderators will delete any posts that are deemed offensive, abusive or slanderous in nature. Commercial operations or businesses may not advertise nor appear to advertise their products or services, either directly, or indirectly by a second party, except for simple reference as a source for such products or services
Post Reply
DarylC
Posts: 1163
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:04 am
Location: People's Republic of Maryland
Has thanked: 1225 times
Been thanked: 400 times

Which one would it be???

Post by DarylC »

As we grow older we tend to accumulate at lot of "stuff". Amongst that stuff are these guns we have chased for so many years. For some reason or the other you have to dispose of all your guns except one. Which one would be the lucky one? For me it would have to be my 20ga, 30" SW. My first 20 and the one I can always depend on. She ain't fancy but she's like an extension of my arm when I shoot her.
Owning a Fox is not a spectator sport.
User avatar
Jeff S
Posts: 3146
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:59 am
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Has thanked: 1821 times
Been thanked: 1245 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by Jeff S »

Daryl, I love questions like this because it’s fun to hear what everyone says and the rationale behind their decision.

Right now, if I could only keep one, it would be the 12 ga. XE that I used in South Dakota. Weighing in at 6 lbs, 12 oz. it’s easy to carry while hunting, pheasants, grouse or woodcock. Most of my hunting time is spent in a duck blind and the mod/full chokes are perfect for shooting over decoys or passing shots. It’s got wonderful engraving, nice wood and the 28” barrels fit me perfectly. You didn’t ask for a 2nd choice, but my 16 Parker DH is right there. Gosh I love that little gun.
Shoot vintage firearms, relax, and have fun.
User avatar
Fin2Feather
Posts: 1042
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:15 am
Location: Kansas High Plains
Has thanked: 195 times
Been thanked: 207 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by Fin2Feather »

That's a tough one! It probably SHOULD be my 16ga Sterlingworth Ejector, 28" and 6-1/2 pounds, the first "good" shotgun I owned. But honestly it would probably be my 16ga A Grade, 28" and 6-1/4 pounds.
Utica Fox Appreciation Society - Charter Member
vaturkey
Posts: 3225
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:33 pm
Location: Hamilton, VA
Has thanked: 680 times
Been thanked: 1034 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by vaturkey »

Because I mostly hunt Woodcock it would be the meat gun 20 gauge upgraded Sterly. If I hunted out more in Nebraska it would be a 30 inch 16 gauge Sterly ejector because of running into more Pheasant.
Attachments
20230102_102702.jpg
User avatar
Jeff S
Posts: 3146
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:59 am
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Has thanked: 1821 times
Been thanked: 1245 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by Jeff S »

Fin2Feather wrote: Mon Apr 07, 2025 11:35 am That's a tough one! It probably SHOULD be my 16ga Sterlingworth Ejector, 28" and 6-1/2 pounds, the first "good" shotgun I owned. But honestly it would probably be my 16ga A Grade, 28" and 6-1/4 pounds.
I love 16’s
Shoot vintage firearms, relax, and have fun.
ROMAC
Posts: 1266
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:16 pm
Location: SE PA
Has thanked: 673 times
Been thanked: 691 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by ROMAC »

My two barreled custom 16 I call Reynard will never leave.
It was engraved by Geoffroy Gournet who, sadly, died recently. It is the only gun that I’ve ever had custom built for my dimensions and I think I shoot it very well. 15 1/8 lop and cast on guns don’t turn up in gun stores very often.
Attachments
IMG_7737.jpeg
Last edited by ROMAC on Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:42 pm, edited 3 times in total.
"Somehow, the sound of a shotgun tends to cheer one up" -- Robert Ruark
User avatar
fox-admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3816
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:46 pm
Has thanked: 528 times
Been thanked: 1418 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by fox-admin »

There are many things in my life I could easily simplify, reducing my gun collection is not one of them. :lol:
Foxnut
Posts: 1678
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:53 pm
Location: Western, MI
Has thanked: 812 times
Been thanked: 903 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by Foxnut »

For me I would have to keep two. 1. The CE 16 my Dad gave me when I was 11 years old. Not because it’s a closet queen or anything special but because it came from him and I have a 52 year history with it! Second would be my A Grade 16 gauge two barrel set. It is the gun that I naturally gravitate to when pulling out a gun for a grouse/woodcock hunting trip.
Regards - Foxnut
eightbore
Posts: 3061
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:12 pm
Has thanked: 54 times
Been thanked: 255 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by eightbore »

My HE 20, or my HE 12 that letters to Nash, or which Parker, A or AA, oh heck, I agree with Craig. It can't be done. To be honest, with the price of shot what it is, a .410 would probably win out. Now, which .410? Maybe the skeet configured Francotte from the family of a famous four star.
MC1952
Posts: 83
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 8:15 pm
Location: Northern Virginia
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 112 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by MC1952 »

IMG_2499.jpeg
Almost all of my hunting is for little brown birds. Even though I have several really nice guns, including a custom 20 ga Fox AE, this old 20 ga Sterlingworth is a keeper.
DarylC
Posts: 1163
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:04 am
Location: People's Republic of Maryland
Has thanked: 1225 times
Been thanked: 400 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by DarylC »

MC1952 wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:11 pm IMG_2499.jpeg

Almost all of my hunting is for little brown birds. Even though I have several really nice guns, including a custom 20 ga Fox AE, this old 20 ga Sterlingworth is a keeper.
I couldn't agree more. Smallbore Sterlingworths are the salt of the earth in my world. I'd love to have a high grade 20 but the simple SW is just so suited for the job.
Owning a Fox is not a spectator sport.
User avatar
fox-admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3816
Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:46 pm
Has thanked: 528 times
Been thanked: 1418 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by fox-admin »

DarylC wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 3:43 pm
MC1952 wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:11 pm IMG_2499.jpeg

Almost all of my hunting is for little brown birds. Even though I have several really nice guns, including a custom 20 ga Fox AE, this old 20 ga Sterlingworth is a keeper.
I couldn't agree more. Smallbore Sterlingworths are the salt of the earth in my world. I'd love to have a high grade 20 but the simple SW is just so suited for the job.
When will the world wake up?? I look at the prices of Parker small bores and it shocks me. A 20ga Sterly and NID field (I'm not a Ithaca guy) are the best values in the world of vintage SxS 20ga guns. I'm not a small bore guy but I'm tempted just because. Tom T remember I'm all ears if you want to sell me your 20ga 30" Sterly. Fox small bores are lighter, smaller, simpler and cheaper than Parkers :D
vaturkey
Posts: 3225
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:33 pm
Location: Hamilton, VA
Has thanked: 680 times
Been thanked: 1034 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by vaturkey »

fox-admin wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 4:53 pm
DarylC wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 3:43 pm
MC1952 wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:11 pm IMG_2499.jpeg

Almost all of my hunting is for little brown birds. Even though I have several really nice guns, including a custom 20 ga Fox AE, this old 20 ga Sterlingworth is a keeper.
I couldn't agree more. Smallbore Sterlingworths are the salt of the earth in my world. I'd love to have a high grade 20 but the simple SW is just so suited for the job.
When will the world wake up?? I look at the prices of Parker small bores and it shocks me. A 20ga Sterly and NID field (I'm not a Ithaca guy) are the best values in the world of vintage SxS 20ga guns. I'm not a small bore guy but I'm tempted just because. Tom T remember I'm all ears if you want to sell me your 20ga 30" Sterly. Fox small bores are lighter, smaller, simpler and cheaper than Parkers :D
They are amazing swinging petite guns. I shot mine last year at the mini Bo Whoop event at the NE SXS. Love it. They have a great feel to them.

PS. I had a NIB Jostam No Kick recoil pad added, but kept the original buttplate and the stock was not touched. That gives me 14.5" LOP. Weight is 5 lb 15 oz on the digital scale. Don't believe there was ever a Parker 20 gauge with 30 inch tubes made that will hit that weight.
eightbore
Posts: 3061
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:12 pm
Has thanked: 54 times
Been thanked: 255 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by eightbore »

My 20 Sterlingworth weighs 5 pounds, 11 ounces. It would be my choice for long or rough hunts.
ROMAC
Posts: 1266
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:16 pm
Location: SE PA
Has thanked: 673 times
Been thanked: 691 times

Re: Which one would it be???

Post by ROMAC »

When will the world wake up?? I look at the prices of Parker small bores and it shocks me

SHHHHHHHH!

I'd rather the world keep their mits off my Foxes!
"Somehow, the sound of a shotgun tends to cheer one up" -- Robert Ruark
Post Reply