doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Re-Cap Philly versus Utica Fox

The best AH Fox guns are pre-1913 especially Grade C and A's in my opinion.Do not discount the Savage made graded guns they are the equal of Philly guns from the 20's in my opinion. The Utica Sterlys with the fat forend are ugly but as well made as the late Philly Sterlingworths.

I think each gun has to be evaluated on its own merits. I've got a Savage era small bore sterly that was made with original Philly parts and everything looks good and proper. I also have a small bore 20 gauge Sterly made in 1926 (before the sale) that is pretty awful. Looks like the simple engraving was done someone hung over on Monday morning. Barrel striking was just plain bad and the watertable is rough as a cob.

To me the early very early Sterlingworth (Pin Guns) were really well made for the cost. Take one apart and look at the innards and you go "oh my". Not sure how they were able to sell them that cheap with that much attention to detail.

FWIW, I once owned the 33rd A grade 16 gauge ever made. Lettered at 5 lb 10 ounce with 14 1/8" LOP and 1 1/2 DAH. Factory choked at IC/Mod. That shows you even in 1913, there were bird hunters who knew exactly what they wanted.

They weren't, which is why the Godshalks eventually entered the picture, and Ansley exited it, IMO.

SRH

In terms of quality, the gradual decline began in the mid 1910's especially in the engraving details of higher graded guns. In terms of aesthetics, every change Savage made to the SW was for the worse- the aforementioned forend, the chunkier stock, rounded trigger guard, untapered top tang, draw bolt, etc. That being said, I'd love to own a Utica SW Wildfowl or Skeet and Upland gun.