Sterlingworth 16ga. info

[HMM36319]

Brand new to the forum but I've been reading it for some time now. I've come across a 16ga. gun. The serial number is 378347 and it's in pretty nice condition. Bluing to great, bores are bright and the barrels ring like a bell and face up tight. Not much color left on the frame. The barrels measure 28 inches and apprear to be full and modified. I guess my concern/question is the barrel length. How can I find out what length the barrels left the factory at? Did the sterlingworths have keels at the barrel end? This gun seems to only have solder. Also, generally, how long were the chokes ? I guess I'm trying to figure out if the barrels have been cut. if they have been cut, I'll keep looking.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much and have a great day.

[mc15426378]

Maybe a letter from Mr Callahan would show the original length, but maybe not. Usually not much info for Sterlingworths. Here's Mr Callahan's info. John T. Callahan, Arms Historian P.O. Box 82 Southampton, MA 01073. Provide the serial number, gauge, and grade and enclose a check for $30 for Sterlingworths and $40 for graded guns. You will receive a letter in 4-8 weeks.

Usually if the barrels touch at the muzzles then the barrels have not been cut, but this is not 100%. Sterlingworth barrels do not have keels that I have ever seen, only solder. 28" barrels were a common length. Guns I've measured seemed to have chokes of approx. 3 1/2 inches if I remember correctly. F/M was a common setup on these guns.

Sterlingworths are great guns and a 16 just makes it that much better.

[HMM36319]

Thanks for the info mc154---. I'm thinking I might want to buy the gun and I'm afraid that a 4-8 week wait for a letter that may or may not confirm the barrel length might cause me to be late and the 16 to be sold. I guess I was hoping there might a reference source readly available that would have info like that.

The barrels do touch so I guess that's a plus but not a sure thing. And your right, a 16 sure does make it that much better.

Thanks again.