Correct iron for Sterlingworth extractor 12ga?

[Bill Graham]

I acquired most of a 12ga Sterlingworth extractor this week. The action had been in a drawer for a few decades, and the barrel in a barrel nearby the tool box drawer. No wood, or iron. Philly stamped barrel, 26" I/M. Serial #94038. The bores are now pristine. Little bit of shallow pitting on some of the barrel exterior, and no color case left, but the metal is in good shape and everything functions.

What I'm hoping to find out is what style of iron this one would have had. I'll be on the lookout for wood as well. I know of some new semi-inlet options, but I'd prefer used if I can find it, and afford it.

I appreciate any responders willing to give me an idea of what style iron to locate. Thanks.

[SmithShady]

Hi,

By iron I assume you are referring to the missing forend iron, correct? And by type are you asking if it will be an ejector or extractor version? Or possibly if it would be a snap on forend versus one with a Deeley latch. If the answer is yes, then looking at the barrels, assuming they are completely intact, will tell you if it was an extractor versus an ejector gun. Check the barrels to see if the shell extractor is one solid piece all the way across, or if it's split into two separate pieces as shown in the picture below. If it's split like this, then you have an ejector gun and will need to look for an ejector forend. Sorry, don't have a picture handy at work of an ejector forend, but you can see the back end of one here on our home page.

http://www.foxcollectors.com/ah_fox/con ... stamp.html

A.H. Fox CE Grade 12ga by Mike Smith, on Flickr


If it's one solid piece like the one pictured here, then you have an extractor gun.


1938 16ga Fox Sterlingworth DeLuxe by Mike Smith, on Flickr

The extractor forend iron will look like this one. This is a 16ga, but you get the idea.

1938 16ga Fox Sterlingworth DeLuxe by Mike Smith, on Flickr


If it's a Sterlingworth, regardless of being ejector or extractor it will be a snap on forend. If you're looking for parts for this gun, then I would try Jason Barden at Pumpkin Mountain Gunshop. https://www.ahfoxparts.com/ Jason has the remaining parts from the Fox factory and being that your gun is a 12ga and a Sterlingworth, I think he could provide everything you're looking for from the forend iron down to the wood. None of these parts have been fitted to a gun, but every one was different, so buying a used stock on eBay or Gunbroker is a crap shoot as to whether it will fit anyway. At a minimum he can provide the forend iron you're looking for.

By the way, it's good to see another Fox shooter in the RTP area!

Thanks,

Mike

[Bill Graham]

Thanks Mike. Nice to meet you too.

My wife has a 20ga ejector: currently in need of some extractor guide pins.

The 12ga is an extractor. What I was wondering about was if there were different versions of the forend iron for an extractor; mostly concerned about the length and with. I also have a working LC Smith, and portions of others, and there are different sizes of iron.

I've been in touch with Jason and will likely acquire a complete forend, wood and all, from him. He also has buttstocks, but they are without any inletting. Inletting from scratch is not in my skill set, so I need to find a partial at least. Macon has some, and you can pick the grip. I personally like straight grips, but don't have any guns with a straight grip right now.

This gun is going to be given to my father-in-law when complete. Other than the wood and iron, I just need to have the receiver color cased, and I will rust blue the barrel.

Thanks for all of the information.

[Researcher]

By 94038 A.H. Fox Gun Co. had pretty much settle into the F.T. Russell snap-on/-off forearm latch for both extractor and ejector Sterlingworths, so a 12-gauge forearm iron with the fixed roller would be what is needed. The middle one in this picture --

[Bill Graham]

Excellent. Thank you, Researcher.