Serial numbers

[ahfox]

Is there a way to tell the grade from a serial number??

[fox-admin]

You can tell gauge by serial number, you can also tell if the gun is a Sterlingworth or a graded gun from the serial number.

[CLAYBORN]

On the trigger tang of my "pin gun " the numbers are 59586 is that the serial number? The forearm says Model 1911 Number on the forearm is different than the number on the trigger tang. Any insight on the numbers.
Later,
Clay

[Researcher]

The serial number should be the same on all the parts -- receiver watertable, barrel flats, back side of the extractor or ejectors, forearm iron, trigger guard backstrap, stamped in the wood on the head of the stock, and stamped in the wood at the back of the forearm or on later guns the ridge of wood between the barrels.

[MARSHFELLOW]

The serial number on the frame (on the watertable) is the true serial number of your gun....the others are mismatched to it.

[CLAYBORN]

Marchfellow,
Here are the numbers, looks like through the battles of life the Fox was given a different forearm.
Trigger tang, 59686
Water table/frame 59586
Barrels 59586
Forearm Model 1911 57981
Pat Numbers
Dec. 2, 1902
Aug 16, 1904
Aug 1, 1905
Oct.17 1905
Jan. 16, 1906

Barrels say Sterlingworth Fluid Compressed Steel
Made by A.H. Fox Gun Co.Phila. PA. USA
Fox Proof
I can't find any numbers that would indicate the barrel weight or the choke. Measures Modified and Full on the barrels.
Later,
Clay

[Researcher]

Sounds like your gun has been fitted with a forearm off another gun.

[MARSHFELLOW]

Yup, what Researcher said.

Fox did not mark their barrels with choke.

[cargie32]

The grade should be marked on the watertable if it is a graded gun.

[CLAYBORN]

So is the gun a graded gun and what does that mean. Can you tell if it is a graded gun by the serial number. I can't see any grade ID on what I think is the water table. Water Table is the flat part of the receiver, that the barrels set on???? Anyway tell me if you can if it is a graded gun and what that means. Looks like the serial number indicates that it was made about 1912 if my research is correct. What cha think???
Later,
Clay

[vaturkey]

Since the sides of the receiver is marked Sterlingworth, its not a graded gun. For the different grades look at the rest of website here. There are lots of different pictures showing the different grades. Since the forearm metal s/n isn't the same as s/n's on the rest of the gun that would put you gun in the shooter category and pretty much that is what Sterlingworths were meant to be. I own quite a few of them, and mechanically all Fox's are pretty much the same. Good luck. You've now been bit by the Fox disease. Not a bad disease to have.