Highest 16ga Sterlingworth yet recorded...Researcher???

[MARSHFELLOW]

Dave, et al,

What is the highest serial number on a 16ga Sterly that you have seen & recorded?? I was just going thru some guns and I found 371237....kinda similar in range to the 20ga that was being discussed. 26"....super high original condition...rather vivid. Forgot that I had it.

tjw

[Researcher]

The 16-gauge Fox-Sterlingworth serial numbers go a lot higher than 20-gauges. The old Lightner Library serial number chronology says they go up to 378481, while 20-gauges go up to 271304. The highest 16-gauge I've recorded is 378404, a Fox-Sterlingworth Ejector Brush with twin ivory sights that I examined at Greentop Sporting Goods north of Richmond, Virginia, November 2001. I was thinking of buying it as I didn't own a 26-inch barrel 16-gauge Fox, but I was also in a hurry to get up the road 90 miles to Alexandria and home. The problem was the instant background check phone system was down, so I hit the road without it. The gun was in nearly new condition, and exhibited the absolute worst of Savage workmanship. Now, here a few months short of a decade later, I scored the 26-inch barrel 16-gauge Fox-Sterlingworth Skeet & Upland Game Gun, and finally have a 26-inch barrel 16-gauge Fox.

In addition to the sixteen thousand number gap from 143802 to 160195 that I have in my observed 12-gauge S-worths, I have a similar four thousand phenomenon in 20-gauge S-worths 265717 to 270121. Anyone have guns with serial numbers in these gaps? I don't have any noticable big gaps in my 16-gauge S-worth serial numbers.

[MARSHFELLOW]

Thanks Dave....I sort of figured the 16s keep going as I knew they made many more than 20s but I had never paid any attention. I'll make a note of your "gaps" and sent up a flare if I find one that fills a hole.

Off you Hausmann's today, but first I have to drive into the bowels of PA to pick up an "interesting" find and then double back.

[jolly bill]

Per Mr. Marshfellow: "Off you Hausmann's today, but first I have to drive into the bowels of PA to pick up an "interesting" find and then double back."

More intrique! Something else to look forward to.

Jolly

[eightbore]

Bill, tell us what you scored on your PA search.

[jolly bill]

eightbore: "Bill, tell us what you scored on your PA search."

You meant: "Tom (aka Marshfellow), tell us what you scored on your PA search."

Jolly

[eightbore]

Sure enough, Bill, I misread the post. I guess we saw what Marshfellow detoured for.

[BarkeyVA]

Dave,

There are two AH Fox Sterlingworth (Phila) 16 ga. sxs's on Gunrunner Auctions--a 26" , serial No. 352406, and a 28", serial number 361406. Can you tell me when they were made?

[Researcher]

According to the old Lightner Library Fox Chronology they'd be 1916 and 1927. Only a Callahan letter is going to get you any closer than that. The gun I have in the 3605xx range letters to July 9, 1928.