Appraisal

[Tmister65]

Hi I am new to the group and looking for an appraisal on my 20 ga Fox Sterlingworth. This gun is unique.It has a 24” barrel with a pearl bead site, single trigger, self ejectors and beaver tail fore-end. My father contacted a Roe S Clark Arms historian who replied with a letter stating this was a custom made gun shipped to Smith Steen Co in 1921. I do have the letter, serial number, and pictures. The gun is in excellent shape. Any help with an appraisal would be greatly appreciated.

[Jeff S]

A Sterlingworth with a single trigger, a factory beavertail forearm and 24” barrels is certainly a rare bird. When appraising guns, condition is paramount. Who knows? This little gem could be worth $2,500- 3,000? Let’s see what some of the guys that watch the market have to say.

Tmister65. Thanks for editing your post and adding the pictures. As Dave said, those pictures tell a much different tale. That’s a great little bird gun, but strictly utilitarian. The photo of the barrels leads most people to believe that they have been cut, thus removing any collector appeal. It’s probably worth $800 - 1,000. When you received the “letter” what was the stated barrel length? If the letter states that they were 24” I’ll be surprised. Jeff

[Researcher]

Those may be the barrels and frame shipped to Smith Steen Co in 1921, but the Miller single trigger, the wood and whacking the barrels to 24-inches are all aftermarket work. The Sterlingworth was a "made for stock" "standard" gun with no deviations from the catalog specs. The Sterlingworth pages from the 1921 A.H. Fox Gun Co. catalog --

and the 1921 Retail Price List --

The Design for that recoil pad was Filed Apr. 19, 1937, and granted by the USPTO July 20, 1937.

[Tmister65]

Well I’ve had a gunsmith look at this. He assured me that the barrel was not cut. The cylinders are to the spec it was purchased cylinder and modified. The paperwork I received from the arms historian stated it was a custom made gun.

[jolly bill]

Well I’ve had a gunsmith look at this. He assured me that the barrel was not cut. The cylinders are to the spec it was purchased cylinder and modified. The paperwork I received from the arms historian stated it was a custom made gun.

Did Roe Clark mention the barrel length in his letter? That would be key info. And the Miller Single Trigger and beaver tail likely added later on.

Neat gun.