The Southern 2026

[Jeff S]

It is often mentioned by members (and in MM’s book) that early, graded small bores have “snap on” forearms. Just in case anyone is keeping track, here is a 16 ga. CE with the snap on forearm.

[DarylC]

I can't offer a learned opinion on that engraving other than I like it. Tastefully executed as they say.

And I'll take the snap on any day..

[Researcher]

I've recorded two Deeley and three F.T. Russell style forearm latches in the 3004xx serial number range

[Researcher]

Thanks for the kind words. The booth is definitely a team effort and Kevin and Tom make it happen.

Yesterday I saw something that was new to me. One of the visitors, Roy, brought in his 16 ga. Sterlingworth that had more than the usual amount of engraving. Kevin and Tom indicated that this wasn’t the first case. If anyone has any thoughts, opinions or explanations, please let me know and I’ll relay them to Roy. Thanks.
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Many years ago I recorded two Sterlingworths like that, both at the big gun show at the Monroeville Mall on the west side of Pittsburgh leading me to think at the time they might have been a special order for a big Western Pennsylvania distributor/dealer. Now I wonder if they may have been export guns for L.H. Hagen in Norway. We know from the production cards that Hagen ordered special engraving on the A-/AE-Grades they ordered. See Card of the Month January 2011 and April 2021. The only pictures of a Hagen A-/AE-Grade I've found have Photobucket all over them --

Would be great to see a letter or the card for one of those extra engraving Sterlingworths.

[DarylC]

You might be on to something Dave.