Which model Fox do I have?

[havoc]

My Grandfather gave me this 12 gauge(30" barrel) years ago. I couldn't match it up exactly to any of the pictures. Could you tell me what I have? I shot trap and skeet a few times with it about 35 years ago, is it safe to shoot?

[eightbore]

A quite high condition Sterlingworth. Uncommon condition of the case hardening color.

[Jeff S]

That Sterlingworth sure looks nice (the wood is in better condition than mine). To my eye, there is a very small crack developing on the left hand cheek. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot this nice old gun, but I would stick with low pressure shells like RST. Please enjoy your grandfather's legacy. Jeff

[Researcher]

Your Sterlingworth is from the last years of production in Philadelphia, 1928-9. Here is from the catalog used by the A.H. Fox Gun Co. in 1928 and 1929 and with an address paste-over by Savage in 1930.

Here is a magazine ad for the Fox-Sterlingworth of that vintage --

From late 1906 to 1926 the A.H. Fox Gun Co. was in the factory in the 4600 block of N. 18th Street. Beginning in 1927 the companies ads state they have moved into a new factory and the address on the ads in in the 4700 block of N. 18th Street.

Fur - Fish - Game, September 1927, New A.H. Fox Factory.jpeg (136.1 KiB) Viewed 1342 times

With this move they drastically reduced their prices, the Fox-Sterlingworth down from $48 to $36.50, a dollar less than the New Ithaca Field Grade introduced in 1926.

No one can tell you over the internet what loads may or may not be safe in a given gun, that requires hands on by a qualified smith. As far as loads go, your gun was made six years after the introduction of progressive burning powder, high velocity, loads, 12-gauge 3 3/4 dram equiv. 1 1/4 ounce of lead shot, Western Super-X, Remington Nitro Express, Peters High Velocity, etc.