16 gauge Pin gun?

[SXS ohio]

Did Fox ever build a 16 gauge pin gun? Seller claims it is a 16....Gun also has ejectors. I asked if it had been sleeved but have not gotten a reply. Thanks.... SXS ohio

[Silvers]

Cat's out of the bag on a public forum. If it is a 16 and not sleeved maybe it's an experimental or a one timer done up by/for a factory employee.

[Researcher]

Fifty-four years of playing with Fox doubles and I haven't recorded such a thing. However, in my tables of observed Sterlingworths I haven't recorded a gun in the first 890 16-gauge Sterlingworth serial numbers. I have recorded some very low serial number 20-gauges and they have smooth hinge pins.

[Silvers]

I have some data on 3503xx (not the gun cited here). From my spreadsheet: 30-inch Sterly Ejector gun choked 28 & 36 points and with a typical dressed-off hinge pin. Weight 6 - 9.6 and 2-3/4" DAH. My notes show the barrels were "probably 2-weights".

Dave I'll PM the complete s/n for your records.

frank

[SXS ohio]

This one is 61652 No word back as yet about correctness? SXS Ohio

[Researcher]

The serial number on the gun in question is a conventional 12-gauge serial number. However, they are stamped on the watertable and the forearm iron in different locations than on my Sterlingworth Ejector "pin gun" about 500 numbers later. A picture of the breech end of the barrels with a couple of 16-gauge cartridges in the chambers would certainly settle things, and if "right" would really stimulate bidding!!

[vaturkey]

Its a 12 gauge. I emailed the seller and told him he was incorrect with stating it was a 16. He came back and said I was right. He just updated the listing.

[Silvers]

That's interesting Tom. Thanks for posting. I'd emailed the seller after spotting the advert on Sunday and he came back yesterday and wrote, it's definitely a 16. I'd guess that a few dozen questions on the gun since then got him to check with some shells. Hahaha.

[vaturkey]

Frank you are exactly right. He said he thought it was a 16 gauge based on the looking at the ends of the barrels. He confirmed it was a 12 gauge by finally dropping a shell in the chamber.

[birdawg]

Another internet expert

[Silvers]

Another early 16-gauge Sterly: 3502xx was converted to a 45/70 double rifle by Roe Clark Jr. Original ship date was 5/20/1913 to Shapleigh Hardware as a Sterlingworth "Field" choked Mod & Full. I have pics of the gun in my files but can't find them right now. Again I'll send the full s/n to Dave.

frank

[Researcher]

I saw such a gun/rifle on Courtney Smith's tables at the Great Southern Weapons Fair at the Virginia Fair Grounds at Richmond, maybe a quarter century ago. Didn't get a serial number though.