12ga Sterlingworth Rebuild

[Goldenfox]

I finally picked up my completed 12 ga Sterlingworth that started out as a rusted, dented-barreled, oil soaked and crack-stocked beater. I don't have any pictures of the gun before the start of the project, but I can tell you that after I had the dents raised, I put in over 25 hours of honing and polishing the pits and dents out of the #2 weight barrels. I polished them down to 400 grit. I found a nice stick of American black walnut at Watt's Walnut and had Steve Bertram fit it to me. I can't be more pleased. The gun fits, and as usual, for a gun that fits, it doesn't feel as heavy as the 7# 6oz would seem. The balance is right at the hinge pin (30" barrels and a dense stock). I now have an upgraded Sterlingworth. Some may think that the stock is overkill for a Sterly, but it would have cost just as much for Steve to make stock from a straight grained, plain piece of walnut. Besides, I have an addiction to fine wood that started with my 4 years of high school woodshop.
The serial number of 994,941 indicates a 1924 date of manufacture. It is choked M/IM, which I left alone.

This shows the bondo build-up on the old stock to get the proper dimensions, as well as the polished barrels.
You can see the oil-saturated stock head and forend here.

Heading up the new stock.
The duplicated stock.
Definitely a Sterlingworth.

I left the patina of the old Sterly intact.


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[vaturkey]

Really a nice looking gun. Something about putting a nice stick of walnut on a classic that is special indeed. Watts has some really nice american black walnut for sure.

[abner]

It is great to see another Fox saved for you and the next generations--it is good for another 100 years! I see many Fox shotguns in this condition and most are just passed by, but below all the dust, oil, and dents are the same parts for a graded Fox. You really put many hours of work and sweat and should be proud--it makes me think of the Model T's and Model A's saved from the junk yards.

[Jeff S]

That stock is definitely NOT overkill. We're just jealous. Very, very cool!

[tnmike]

Great pics and a worthy project. Nicely done and respectful of its past. Upgraded stock just makes it better.