Just won a Sterlingworth auction

[kingston73]

I managed to win a 12 gauge, 30 inch barrel sterlingworth for only $305 and I’ve got questions. First, how was mine so cheap? I had a fox years ago that had been my grandfather’s but after some extremely rough times I let it go. (Yeah, I know, don’t ever sell firearms and I kick myself when I think about it now). This was pre-Covid and I sold it for maybe $800-ish. I have been wanting to replace it for years but could never justify the prices I was seeing. Is mine some kind of counterfeit or extremely low end version?

Second question, is there a way to date the manufacture year or just the general range of dates? It’s a 539xx serial number.

Third, how can I tell if the stock is original? I haven’t received it yet but the stock looks to be in pretty good shape for a shotgun that is potentially 100 years old.

I will post pictures when I receive it but I’ve included some pictures from the auction.
https://imgur.com/a/jzeBNJP

[Researcher]

Your gun is an early one from late 1910/ early 1911. You can get a letter from the folks at Cody.

https://centerofthewest.org/explore/fir ... ds/savage/

Your gun has a nice, serviceable, replacement stock, which probably cost about what you paid for the gun. The market is very soft for entry-level 12-gauge doubles.

[JasonR]

I was watching this one, surprised that it sold for that price. Nice win for you!