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.
