Just Found old Fox Sterlingworth

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:15 pm

That would have been my guess as all the others I've recorded in that 133xxx serial number range are 30-inch barrel guns. Thank you.

You could get a letter on your find from the Savage Arms Historian, Mr. John Callahan. For $40 Graded or $30 Sterlingworth (last prices I've seen quoted) you can get a factory letter on most any Ansley H. Fox shotgun (Philadelphia or Utica) from Mr. John T. Callahan, 53 Old Quarry Road, Westfield, MA 01085. The information exists on the factory work-order cards, probably 85+% of which still exist. Send him the complete serial number and a check, and he can do the rest. That would tell you the specifications of the gun when it left the factory.

In that your gun is a pretty standard item, there likely wouldn't be much information one doesn't already know just from looking at the gun, on its old production card other then possibly when it was shipped and maybe to whom.

Fin2Feather · Post by **Fin2Feather** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:30 pm

Yep; it's confirmed: I hate you

. Wonderful gun; wonderful find. Whose attic is it, anyway? A little history of the find might ease the pain (but not much). Let's hear the story...

Stan Hillis · Post by **Stan Hillis** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:49 pm

Very nice condition Sterly. As Dave suggested, you really should get a letter on it from Mr. Callahan, if for no other reason than to see to whom it was originally sold/shipped. There is always a chance it was someone notable, maybe less chance than with a higher grade Fox, but what if turned out to be your own Grandad? T'would be nice to know, eh?

Dave Pettyjohn · Post by **Dave Pettyjohn** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:22 am

I think I will get with John Callahan for the letter. It would be nice to see if it did go directly to my grand father. The attic was my grand mothers and we were clearing it out after she passed. Funny thing is my brother handed it over to me and said here you want this old shotgun...haha

I really would like to rub his nose in it a little. I do understand this forum is not for selling guns...but does anyone have any idea what the gun is worth?

I am going to oil it up good and get a better case for it.

eightbore · Post by **eightbore** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:01 am

It is hard to tell what this gun is worth, since it is one of the best Utica Sterlingworths most of us have ever seen. Condition is what drives the collector market and a gun like yours is seldom sold in the light of day. By "light of day" I mean on the internet or in a retail gun store where a price is advertised and public. A field used Sterlingworth sells for $500 to $1000 in the configuration of your gun. Your gun may sell in multiples of those figures. Sterlingworths are pretty hot items today compared to a few years ago.

Dave Pettyjohn · Post by **Dave Pettyjohn** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:12 am

Do you suppose there are places, ie gun shops etc. that would give me a written appraisal. Sort of like having a piece of jewlery appraised?

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:32 pm

What part of the country are you in? Perhaps we can suggest someone nearby.

Dave Pettyjohn · Post by **Dave Pettyjohn** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:36 pm

I'm in Virginia, between Fredericksburg and Warrenton.
That would be great if you could lead me in the right direction.

Thanks

George Lander · Post by **George Lander** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:19 pm

Dave: You should plan to bring it to the Vintagers at Pintail Point in Easton, MD this fall. There will be many there who can tell you lots about your gun. Get a letter from Mr. Callahan beforehand.

Best Regards, George

NJdblgun · Post by **NJdblgun** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:21 pm

You might take it to the Nations Gun Show at Chantilly this weekend, at the Dulles Expo Center off Rt 28, (just south of the airport). Several members of this site will probably be there, as well as some very knowledgable dealers of vintage shotguns

birdawg · Post by **birdawg** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:07 pm

When you take it to one of these shows keep a tight grip on the gun. You will be sorry if you don't

foxhusker · Post by **foxhusker** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:04 am

Dave JMO but I would get in contact with Wes Dillon and Bill Taylor at James D Julia auction house in Maine. That would be the first place I would start it you are wanting to sell it.

Dave Pettyjohn · Post by **Dave Pettyjohn** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:19 am

Thanks for all the responses, I"m going to try to get some sort of estimate of what this gun is worth. I"m thinking around 3 grand from what I have been seeing and reading, but I want to get an expert to look at it.

Dave Pettyjohn · Post by **Dave Pettyjohn** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:52 am

Well my second apprasial was 2,000. I'm not sure if they were low balling me cause they wanted to buy it or not. I oiled it up good and looking down the barrel I don't think the dang thing has ever been shot.

Dave Pettyjohn · Post by **Dave Pettyjohn** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:27 pm

With all the information/history lesson I have received on this gun. I'm still not 100 percent sure how to describe the gun?

here is an attempt.

Fox Sterslingsworth 12 gauge double barrel
Est. 1932
Manual ejectors? (i know it does not shoot them out)
Model Drawbolt?

Fox Collectors

Just Found old Fox Sterlingworth

The Gun

appraisal

What Part of country

Thanks

Oh Brother

I know I"m a pain