My first Sterlingworth

[Hoover99]

Hi all,

Just joined, I will apologize now for all the newbie questions that I will be asking! I must first proclaim my ignorance with regards to Fox shotguns, up until about 2 months ago I'd never even heard of them before. I was at a local show and saw this one on a table and picked it up as I was looking for a sxs for grouse hunting. Upon closing the action for the first time I was amazed at how tight it locked up. The quality is very apparent even though the gun is not "flashy" by any means. Mine sports a five digit serial number 718xx and I would like to know what year it was manufactured. Anyway, after shouldering it a few times I put it back on the table, took the fella's card and wandered off to other tables only to come back and find he had left. My curiosity was peaked however and I started to read up on them. You can imagine I started kicking myself after the first few articles I found along with some message board posts. I called the owner several times and left messages but to no avail. Out of the blue last week he returned my call and I rushed out and picked up this beauty for $500.00 (Canadian) by the way. It retains 90+% blue on the barrels and about 20% case colour. Wood is in very good shape with pistol grip cap, unfortunately the butt plate is not original however I do think it's from a fox. I have lot's of photos that I would like to post but I'm somewhat challenged when it comes to posting pics. Barrels are stamped STERLINGWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL and MADE BY A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA. U.S.A So any info on a manufacture date would be much appreciated!

[gunut]

I have 729xx and it was made the same year as yours 1914....$500 sounds like a real good price....especially with that Canadian funny money...

[Researcher]

The only way to know the shipping date for sure is to get a letter on the gun from the Savage Historian --

http://www.foxcollectors.com/ah_fox/con ... tters.html

To post pictures here you need to upload your pictures to a photo hosting site such as Photobucket.com

Then copy the IMG code and paste it here.

[Georgia]

Congrats. It seems you got a good deal.

I'd also say it is a 1914 or so.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Welcome to "The Brotherhood" and to the addiction!!

[Hoover99]

Thank you sir, Already addicted to Savage 99's so what's another addiction!

[Hoover99]

I just found a website called Doublegunshop.com and it has 1914 12 gauge Sterlingworth's at SN 74200 and 1913 at 66500 I assume these are just approximate dates? Other than getting it lettered is there a better source for dates?

[gunut]

those numbers at doublegunshop are supposed to be the last serial number made 4 the year listed....66500 the last number made in 1913...74200 the last number made in 1914.....but to be sure you need a letter because sometimes shiX happens in a factory setting.....