Education on a Sterlingworth

[cheepertokeeper]

Edit, wrong forum?

[jolly bill]

CTK,

Just to let you know that your post made it to the forum OK.

Pictures would be very helpful to us to get a better idea of what you have. Sounds tho, like you have a pretty nice 12 gauge Sterlingworth.

If you have trouble posting your pictures, you can email them to me or someone else and we can get them posted for you. Send me a PM if you'd like me to do it.

Welcome.

Jolly

[jolly bill]

CTK,

I got notice of your Private Message to me regarding posting pictures for you. You apparently do not have an email address or contact info in your profile so I couldn't respond that way.

Put your contact info in your profile or send me an email directly: biljolliff@aol.com We can then get started on getting your pictures posted.

Jolly

[cheepertokeeper]

I did a little homework. Correct me where I am wrong. Does the Sterlingworth line have the same internals as the Fox "graded" lines? With the difference being in stock quality and engraving? Did Savage take A.H. Fox over and was there a drop off in quality when/if they did. Are there any recommended spare parts to keep on hand, anything prone to breakage? I'll next scour Brownell, see what's out there. It's been awhile for me but this thing seems like a real fun, sweet piece. Still having trouble with pics, maybe daughter can figure out camera settings. Figure you Gents know what they look like. Thanks, CTK

[jolly bill]

CTK,

I'm sure you'll get a few more responses to your inquiry but until then, I'll add some comments.

Yes, the Fox Sterlingworth in all gauges: 12, 16 and 20; have the same internals as the graded Fox'es all the way up to the highest: FE, GE, Specials, etc. Exception would be the Fox Single Barrel Trap Guns that use the same basic principle but with only one barrel.

Some speculation on quality of Fox'es produced by Savage Arms in Utica, NY. Maybe some lesser fit and finish than the Philadelphia guns but saying that, there were some very nice Fox'es made by Savage.

Savage in later years made the Fox Model B, BSE, BST, etc. but they are basically a Stevens 311 with a Fox name. Much different gun than the Ansley Fox'es.

Don't worry about trying to find spare parts. Fox'es usually don't wear out from shooting mild, low pressure modern loads. If you reload, load up some nice low pressure 7/8 or 1 ounce loads and have fun. If you don't reload, RST Shotshells make a variety of loads for old doubles.

Abuse might be the only reason to need spare parts. Poor storage, falling on them over a pile of rocks (body parts grow back, Fox butt stocks don't), etc. Occasionally, there might be an need for a part or two, but worry about that if and when that might happen.

If you happen to luck out and find a nice small bore Fox such as a 16 or 20 gauge, they may be short chambered. As in 2 1/2 inch chambers for the 20 and 2 9/16 inch for the 16's. Don't shoot modern 2 3/4 inch shells in those gauges unless you're sure they've been lengthened and only use mild low pressure loads, ala RST's.

If you're Sterlingworth is in real nice original condition, resist the urge to refinish any part of it. That's me talking. Others may look to refinish, freshen up the wood but do it in a way that will maintain the value of the gun.

Hopefully you'll hear from some others.

Til then, hope this helps.

And by the way, if you live reasonably close to Northern PA and if you're not doing anything special the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of June 1, 2 and 3, you might want to take a ride to Hausmann's Hidden Hollow for the annual NE Classic Side by Side mentioned in another part of this forum. Lotsa nice Fox'es and other super classic side by sides. Bring your S'worth.

Jolly

[jolly bill]

CTK,

Forgot . . . . your Sterlingworth #'ed 1146XX, my guess would have been made around 1922+/- a year or two. A letter from the Fox Historian John Calahan would give you the exact date. But for FREE, that's my guess.

Jolly

[cheepertokeeper]

Thanks Jolly, PM sent

[jolly bill]

CTK sent me some pictures of the Sterlingworth he's asking about and I offered to post them here and they can be seen below.

Looks like a high condition 12 gauge Sterlingworth with just some very light handling marks, some very light rust spots and maybe the checkering has been chased, recut? SN'ed around 114XXX with 30 inch F and F barrels. He is curious about the value of the gun.

Any thoughts?

Jolly

[cheepertokeeper]

Thanks for posting Jolly. I know pricing is subjective, frowned upon in some corners. I can pick this up for $650. Seem fair? My modest collection is WW11 centered, if the pros think it's a deal I'd hate to pass up. Seller assured me it will be available should I choose. But ran into him at our club and he's telling guys about this, and others, he'd picked up in a wonderful "score". Someones going to jump on it if I don't. Did post pics on my "home forum", M14forum.com. Some knowledgeable guys over there. One stated sunlight is hard on case coloring. Any truth to that? Guess it all comes down to condition, originality? To my eyes a really beautiful example of craftsmanship from golden era of American manufacturing. Any info #'s made, 1000's-10'000's? Thanks, Thomas

[MARSHFELLOW]

Buy it....right now. I'll giveya a profit if it's as nice as it appears to be.

tjw

[Fin2Feather]

Marsh is right; jump on it.

[cheepertokeeper]

Ok,Thanks.

[Ithaca33]

At $650 you can't go wrong. I'm sure there are more than a few guys here who would have no problem paying $700-$800 for a high condition Sterly like that. Maybe more