Sidekick:
The "clunky" Foxes-Sterlingworths are the ones built by "Savage" after 1931....suggest you check the serial numbers of what you are looking at until you know the difference....which is obvious, starting with the Savage name on the left barrel for the post '31 guns.......
In the LC Smith line the "clunky" ones are the Marlin built guns that were built after 1945 when Hunter Arms went broke (October '45).......also do a serial number check and you will know what you are looking at......after 1945 prefix "S" in the serial........
Both of these companies offered 'cheaper' quality guns after the change of ownership and employees......but often, sellers will ask prices equal to that of the "real deal" LC's and Foxes...just on name recognition alone, hoping they can 'snag' a buyer.....
Good Luck with your search.......
Can't speak for the Smiths, but I can tell you that the above statement about Foxes is drivel. Take each gun on its own merits. Some of the very latest Savage Foxes left something to be desired, but many of the Utica Foxes are every bit the equal of the Philly guns, as anyone who knows his Foxes will tell you.
