Fox Collectors

This Sterly is for sale on GB as a "Conversation Piece". Any thoughts on what could have caused this? PS. Item Number 1104742973

Obviously an overpressure. Using the wrong powder?

Talk about having to change your pants!!! Wowzer!

Tempted, but that replacement forend is a deal killer

Maybe a 12 gauge Sterlingworth with a 20 gauge shell dropped in and stopped at the forcing cone?

jolly bill wrote: ↑Tue May 13, 2025 11:31 pm Maybe a 12 gauge Sterlingworth with a 20 gauge shell dropped in and stopped at the forcing cone?

That would certainly do it.

Simply, the pressure generated by the shell exceeded the "hoop strength" of the barrel breech. I don't think it was an obstruction (stuck wad or undersize shell lodged in the forcing cone, etc) as I don't see any semblance of a bulge ahead of the blown out section in the pic. More likely a gross overcharge of powder. frank

In my college days there was a Pigeon Grade Superposed mounted on the wall of the old Seattle Skeet & Trap Club at Redmond, WA, with a similar blow-out of the lower barrel that also took a chunk out of the side of the frame. Caption on the mount said "double charge of Red Dot."

Almost certainly an overcharge, due to one thing or another. I agree not an obstruction. I've seen this before.