Fox Collectors

First post on this forum.

Last weekend I bought a Sterlingworth for $250. It has some corrosion but is a great shooter. First time shooting with it today and it is now my favorite shotgun. My model 1100 feels like I'm swinging a club compared to this shotgun, For some reason I can't seem to miss with this thing. Ok I missed a couple clays.


My gunsmith, who knows these guns, looked it over and said I did good, but was concerned about the stock. Sure enough the stock chipped today. And there is a longer crack that he was even more concerned about. I will discuss stock options with him this week, but will gladly take any suggestions here for a replacement.

Here are some photos.







Here is the split.(I have the piece)



Chris

Using low pressure loads will help save the wood. If you do have to replace it there are a few partially I letter stocks on eBay that would make a good starting point.

Welcome aboard. If one uses the IMG code, the pictures will show up here larger --











What you have here is a rather scarce Fox-Sterlingworth variation built using a flat-sided SP-Grade frame, but it is in pretty rough condition with all that rust pitting. Hopefully you have the chip that came off and a good stock doctor can repair the original stock. The cost of a proper restock is far above the value of the remaining metal in that condition.

Thanks for the info! I had no idea this sterlingworth was different than any other. Actually I knew nothing about these shotguns before I bought this one and did some research. The serial number is 132781. The tables I found show that it was probably made in 1932.

There is a longer crack in the stock that the gunsmith was concerned about growing. He also told me if that crack started to grow, he could re stock it using a piece of walnut he had in the shop, but it would cost more than the gun was worth, and my money would be better spent selling this one and getting a better one. For my minimal $250 investment I'm not too concerned, and if i can put some sort of stock on it for a couple hundred I will probably be inclined to keep it. Especially because it shoots so well, and i wouldnt feel guilty hunting with it in the salt water marshes by me. I'm wondering if hunting in the marshes is how it got so pitted, but the inside of the barrels look beautiful.

I see Macongunstocks and ebay has 95% finished stocks for around $100. Perhaps this would be a good place to start. Anyone here try one of these stocks? I'll talk to my smith next week to see what he thinks.

Here is a photo of the long crack in the stock. It goes from the base of the stock just above the triggers up to just behind the safety.


I shoot gun club light target loads through this shotgun.


Thanks,

Chris