Newbie Sterlingworth Serial ?

ErikT · Post by **ErikT** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:54 pm

Help me determine the age of my new gun. I just aquired a Sterlingworth non-pin gun. 16 ga. 28" bbls weighs 5lb 12.5 oz.
Serial # 3504##
There are no other significant markings.

This number preceeds any numbers on the serial # list on the gunshop.com link! Any clues would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Silvers · Post by **Silvers** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:11 pm

Number shown in the doublegunshop list for Fox is the estimated LAST gun made that year. Yours is one of the first 16 gauge SW's made ~1912-13. Numbers for 16 Sterlingworths started at 350,000. All smallbore Foxes had hinge pins that were dressed smooth, they were never made in the so-called Pin Gun configuration. Silvers

ErikT · Post by **ErikT** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:13 pm

Very cool. Thanks for pointing that out.
This gun handles like a dream! Nice lop and moderate drop. It comes up smooth!

spyder · Post by **spyder** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:46 pm

I have 3509xx. I understand it was made in 1913, but I'm thinking about getting a Callahan letter.

ErikT · Post by **ErikT** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 6:32 pm

spyder wrote:I have 3509xx. I understand it was made in 1913, but I'm thinking about getting a Callahan letter.

What is a Callahan letter?

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:31 pm

http://www.foxcollectors.com/factory_letters.htm

mc15426378 · Post by **mc15426378** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:55 pm

Erik, does the dressed screw end at the rear of the safety stick out past the area around it? If it does then it may be in too far. Take a look at the
disassembly procedures on the Home page. Then look at # 4 in the list for how to correct. Very simple if this is the cause. Hope this helps.

Mike

ErikT · Post by **ErikT** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:10 pm

mc15426378 wrote:Erik, does the dressed screw end at the rear of the safety stick out past the area around it? If it does then it may be in too far. Take a look at the
disassembly procedures on the Home page. Then look at # 4 in the list for how to correct. Very simple if this is the cause. Hope this helps.

Mike

Mike,

No, the screw does not protrude, in fact it is well below the surface of the top tang. I'm not sure what the problem is becase the slide functions well with the exception of requiring excessive force to move

I guess the only way to investigate will be to dissassemble the action.

Silvers · Post by **Silvers** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:35 pm

I must have missed something here - PM's between the two of you? In any case the rear tang screw must be tight, possibly the most important thing you can do on an old Fox. Otherwise you chance splitting the stock under recoil. If the shank protrudes from the tang after tightening - and that bothers you - dress it down even with the tang and have its end re-engraved to match the original design. Good to take a macro picture first to show the engraver what to do. If the safety slide is hard to move its internal parts may be rubbing on the stock, rusty or whatever. If you take the gun apart it should be obvious what's up. Silvers

Twice Barrel · Post by **Twice Barrel** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:32 pm

Before you start tearing into stuff put a small drop of synthetic lubricant such as Breakfree in the space between the safety button and the top tang and work the safety back and forth a few times. A bit of lubrication can work wonders.

ErikT · Post by **ErikT** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:01 pm

Silvers wrote:I must have missed something here - PM's between the two of you? In any case the rear tang screw must be tight, possibly the most important thing you can do on an old Fox. Otherwise you chance splitting the stock under recoil. If the shank protrudes from the tang after tightening - and that bothers you - dress it down even with the tang and have its end re-engraved to match the original design. Good to take a macro picture first to show the engraver what to do. If the safety slide is hard to move its internal parts may be rubbing on the stock, rusty or whatever. If you take the gun apart it should be obvious what's up. Silvers

Sorry for late reply- No, No PM's. what you see is what we discussed. I think its rubbing on the stock or corroded in some way although it does not feel sticky or sketchy when operated.