Whats an approximate value of the 20 gauge Sterlingworths? I do not have any information as to whether it is a Philly gun or Utica. The gun has 28" barrels. In average condition, having been hunted, moderate bluing loss, typical dents in the wood, etc, can anyone put a general dollar amount on one?
Twentys bring a premium. I'd guess 2K up...Geo
Additional information: It's a Philly gun, locks up tight, wood is supposedly in good condition, bores are supposedly good with no pitting, no butt plate was added and this has the original butt plate.
28” barrels are much more in demand than 26”. 30” are an extra 500-750 more than 28” if you find one. Geo. is within 200+/- as described. Now if your luck is like mine two will show up for sale for 1,500 a month after you buy it. You will most likely look a long time before finding another 20/28” for much less than what Geo. estimated. I would not sell either of my 20/28” for less than 2,000. They are a delight to carry and run to shoot.
I have a "betweener" Sterlingworth 20- 28" barrels, DT AE- right after A.H. Fox moved production to Utica (per Callahan letter) I bought it from an older gent-serious grouse hunter who inherited it from his father, also a brush worn pursuer of both ruffs and 'cock every Fall-- stock and forearm well worn, blueing and case colors worn off, but like all the A.H.Fox guns, still locks up solidly, and shoots to POA-
I bought it in the miss-guided hopes of MI getting a legal dove season--that proposed season never developed, mainly due to the Auduboners and Bible Beaters who view the doves as the carriers of some olive branches I guess. Anyway, when I acquired it and shot it on preserve birdies, a few local gun gurus that frequented a local preserve told me that if it had 26" barrels instead of the 28" length it would be worth far more, should I ever wish to sell it. Ain't gonna happen- I gave it to my oldest grandson on his 14th birthday, 2 years ago this month.
Can any of you A.H. Fox dudes explain this barrel length phenom?
In a small bore double, like a 20 or 28 ga. field gun, how so-- Now a SC O/U, that's a different scenario. I had always heard that grouse hunters (like the late G.B. Evans with his Purdey with 26" barrels (courtesy of Dr. Norris) felt they had a slightly better chance of getting on a flushing bird in thick and nasty brush with shorter barrels. Does 2" difference in barrel length on a grouse gun make all that much difference in birds in the game bag at day's end? Just wondering. RWTF
Fox,
I have both 26" as well as 28" guns. I shoot the 28" ones better at clays, and the 26" guns serve me better in the field and woods of Michigan.
The 26" are just quicker and move more easily for me, especially at the end of the day. Muscle memory with either barrel length is the key.
Karl
IMO, the numbers suggested by previous posters would be the selling (not asking) price for an ejector gun, extractor guns would be closer to $1500 in today's market. Five years ago 20-ga. Sterlingworths were commanding a bit more than they are today. Sure, you'll find some exceptions, but generally speaking, this is what I'm seeing.
Thanks gentlemen... I ended up purchasing the gun, so we'll see how it turns out when I get it in my hands. I'm not personally a big 20 gauge fan, but who knows? Maybe I'll fall in love with it.
I'd say 1500 to 1800 in average condition. I bought one for $1800 this time last year, but it was in outstanding condition with about all of its case color and a Philly gun. IMO 26" and 28" is a wash. For Grouse/Woodcock hunting (which is the sweet spot for a Fox Sterly 20) I find the 26" to be ungodly quick to get to the shoulder and snap a shot off in the early (aka heavy leaves) season.
PS. We need a picture of the new to you Sterly.
Thanks, Karl. Makes sense. I can deduce that you are a serious shotgunner, wheh you use term "muscle memory"- out of the Chris Batha playbook. 90% of my shotgunning nowadays is either incomers, or quartering away birds-mainly pass shooting on waterfowl. Haven't missed a grouse in the last 20 some years, because that's about how long it has been since I hunted them. A good well trained pointing dog, a fine small bore side-by-side, and a good trusted friend to share the coverts with- RWTF
Fox,
Exactly! 6 days to "Grousemas"!
Karl
Good hunting- 30 years ago, I might have also done a "Grouse-Mas count down. Now Sept means geese and teal, after 15th Turkey opens-- been my experience that the cover seems to keep getting a bit denser each passing Sept though- must be old age creeping up on me. I am just guessing you hunt with a dog-- hunting grouse and 'cock w/o a 4 legged companion is like having a 7 course gourmet meal served on a Dixie plate. RWTF
At 73, I hunt conservatively mostly logging roads ans single track with some walking in the edge cover. No dog, but I'm blessed to share time with friends who have them.
I truly believe that God does not subtract the time from a man's life that is spent hunting! I'm heading up to the U.P. this coming week to start the sequence once again.
Karl
Was at a local gunshop yesterday and they had two twenty bores with 28" barrels, an early Savage gun with some nice CC and a Philly gun, $1795 and $1895
Times sure have changed, price-wise. My 20 Sterlingworth with DT and AE, ad 28" tubes, is an early Utica gun- i bought it well used for $600 Cash money. Just for the hey of it, do either of these 20 Sterlingworths have ejectors. Always figured that feature added about 20% to the base price of the gun with extractors.
I learned many years ago to never leave empty ejected shells in any grouse covert- whether public lands, or private farms. A "tell tale" remainder of some hunting activity there-- RWTF