Fox Collectors

I got bitten a year ago with the Sterlingworth bug and have found this
forum a great wealth of information on these fine American shotguns.
I finally joined the A.H. Fox Collector's association this week to help
support this hobby and fine organization.

My question concerns a 20 ga. Philly Sterlingworth I purchased last year
off the Galazan used gun site. It's all original and unmolested, with
26 inch bbls., choked IC/M, bbl. blue and wood 98%, and CC 50%. It
also has some nice fiddle markings on the rear portion of both sides of
the buttstock. It also lettered. I haven't shot it yet.

I was thinking of having the action cleaned and lubed by a competent
gunsmith that specializes in these old side by sides so I can shoot it
with confidence using the low presssure/low recoil shot shells. Will doing
this reduce the value of this shotgun? Will leaving it alone help maintain
it's value?

I'm currently having a 12 ga. Sterlingworth undergoing this procedure,
but it's going to be a shooter. It's rated at 85% to 90%, with 30 inch
bbls, shiney bores, tight action and choked M/F. The gunsmith's inspection
found that the chambers had been lengthened, so it's not unmolested.
I plan to shoot clays/skeet occasionally for some fun, so I had him open up the chokes to IC/M. Like I said, it's going to be a shooter.

Any input concering the 20 ga. Sterlingworth question will be greatly
appreciated. Thanks!

If the 20ga Sterlingworth was my gun and I was only planning on shooting it occasionally I would just clean it but not have it disassembled unless you were experiencing a problem. Just make sure your lube the hinge pin with a small amount of gun grease and keep it clean.

Thanks Fox-Admin. for the reply. That's what I was thinking too. Thanks!