Fox Collectors

Found this Sterlingworth from 1926 (sn109XXX) a few weeks ago. I would like to take it hunting but as you can see there is bare spots on the stock I don't want to expose to the elements. Is it OK to refinish and enjoy the gun, or is that a no-no?

You have a nice Sterlingworth, it is, however; not in highly collectible condition, but rather a shooter...just like about 95% of all Sterlingworths. Therefore, I would go ahead and have the stock refinished--it'll do it good, both in appearance and for protection from the elements.

A little different perspective on this. I don't think your stock is that bad and I wouldn't refinish it. Most of us can chose when to hunt; if it's raining that hard - take out a beater or a take-apart gun like a semi or pump that can be dried and cleaned easily. Back to your stock, if it were my gun I'd use some good gunstock wax to help seal the exposed wood and let go at that. All that wear was earned honestly. Silvers

I agree with Silvers. Just a little wax, after a wet day wet again. Craig

I had a similar dilemna, although my stock wasn't quite so marred up. I roughed it up very lightly with 0000 steel wool and then put a couple of light coats of truoil on it. Lastly, 2 coats of wax.

The truoil blended in with the original stock finish well, and sealed the bare spots. Stock looks much better and maintains a period look and it is now weather proofed.

gspspinone wrote:I had a similar dilemna, although my stock wasn't quite so marred up. I roughed it up very lightly with 0000 steel wool and then put a couple of light coats of truoil on it. Lastly, 2 coats of wax.

The truoil blended in with the original stock finish well, and sealed the bare spots. Stock looks much better and maintains a period look and it is now weather proofed.

There ya go! Why put a bandaid on it and let it fester when you can heal it?

Thanks for all the input. A little oil and a couple coats of wax sounds like it will do the trick.

Mike
IMO you hit it right on the head. The finish on this gun is blistering off, it's a Sterlingworth that is a shooter. Strip the finish, give a good acetone soak, raise the dents and give it a good re-finish. Then it will be good to go for another sixty plus years.

I'd be very careful what type of wax I'd use on this. There is bare wood showing and the wax will fill the pores. Many types of waxes have silicone in them and if you do want to re-finish it in the future. The silicone may cause fish eye problems and be a bear cat to get a good refinish. This is also why I never use a silicone oil on my guns.

Id just hand rub a couple of coats of tung oil into the bare spots...water proofs pretty good without showing like a finish....then put a coat or 2 of wax on the stock B4 hunting it....TRE-Wax works well....

Everything still shows original hunting wear but with better between hunt cleaning/storage care.....

Hi all!
I guess that I am the newest member to join in this group....and I am thrilled to death to find so many people who like Foxes as I do. I have carried a fox ever since early teenage years, and still have my first one which is a 16 ga sterlingworth. (I am 71 years old) When I started collecting them , I couldn't decide on the refinish question. So after a while, I said to heck with it, I am going to fix it like I enjoy it and not for someone else! The way I see it, unless it's a real rarity and in pristine condition, I go with a refinish job, and that being with about 15 coats of tru-oil. When I get one finished, all pores are filled in. Slick as a piece of glass! That"s my two cents worth. Everyone be safe over the holidays, and I certainly look forward to swapping ideas with you.

Bryan E. Clary

Welcome Bryan!

I hope you're handy with a digital camera and can share a few pics of your Foxes someday.

We like pictures here!

Welcome Bryan. Glad to see another southerner join.

How about letting the rest of us see some pictures of your guns, especially that 16 ga Sterlingworth?


Mike Covington
Mississippi