Why so many A. H. Fox 30 inch barrel shotguns for sale?

[SWUtahSxS]

In my search for a nice A. H. Fox S x S shotgun, I have noticed lots of them for sale with 30 inch barrels. Can someone explain this? Are they popular, or the opposite?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks.

[Researcher]

Far and away the most common barrel length for 12-gauge American doubles during the classic period was 30-inch. I don't have specific numbers for A.H. Fox Gun Co.

Looking at The Parker Story the tables of each grade section consistently show 12-gauge 30-inch the most common. Trojan Grade 11,966 of the 33,005 guns made were 30-inch 12-gauges. Next closest was 28-inch 12-gauge coming in with 8220. In the VH-/VHE-Grade 31,227 were 12-gauge 30-inch. The next closest was 28-inch 12-gauge at 13,660. Of the 14,249 Twist barrel PH-/PHE-grade guns made, 8072 were 12-gauge 30-inch. On up to the 79 A1-Specials made of which 35 were 30-inch 12-gauges.

[gunsrus]

How about numbers on 20 and 16 gauge Foxes with 30" barrels . I'm assuming much less then 12's .
They do command more money for sure .

[Researcher]

I have been recording observed Sterlingworths for a bit over 30 years now. Of the 120 16-gauges I've recorded 28 have 26-inch barrels, 81 have 28-inch barrels, 8 have 30-inch barrels and 3 have 32-inch barrels. Of the 104 20-gauges I've recorded 47 have 26-inch barrels, 48 have 28-inch barrels, 7 have 30-inch barrels and 2 have 32-inch barrels.

[MARSHFELLOW]

Thanks for your stats Dave

[Stan Hillis]

Yes, thank you very much, Dave.

[Researcher]

I went the distance this morning and tabulated the 12-gauge Sterlingworths.

Out of 73 "Pin Guns" 2 with 26-inch, 13 with 28-inch and 58 30-inch.

Out of 237 smooth pin guns, 49 26-inch, 59 28-inch, 104 30-inch and 25 32-inch. Also, twelve Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowls with 32-inch barrels.

[Jim Cloninger]

Good work, Dave!

[gunsrus]

Dave , thank you . One more question , of the Graded guns 16's and 20's , how many 30" barrels of each ?

[vaturkey]

I went the distance this morning and tabulated the 12-gauge Sterlingworths.

Out of 73 "Pin Guns" 2 with 26-inch, 13 with 28-inch and 58 30-inch.

Out of 237 smooth pin guns, 49 26-inch, 59 28-inch, 104 30-inch and 25 32-inch. Also, twelve Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowls with 32-inch barrels.

New one on me. What is a Smooth Pin Gun?

[Researcher]

What is a Smooth Pin Gun?

Any Sterlingworth that is not a "pin gun."

[ROMAC]

What is a Smooth Pin Gun?

Any Sterlingworth that is not a "pin gun."

I get it, as opposed to a recessed pin gun.

[bbman3]

Those 30 inch and longer 20 gauge sterlingworths are scarce! Bobby

[vaturkey]

Those 30 inch and longer 20 gauge sterlingworths are scarce! Bobby

Don't recall even seeing one at auction or for sale. I have owned at various time 3 different 30" 16 gauges including one 30" ejector Sterly which I still own. Also owned an ejector Pin gun with 30" barrels. Was going to turn that into something really special, but at the last minute sold it off. _

[Stan Hillis]

I've got two 32" 16 ga. vintage S X Ss, and one 32" 20 ga., but none are Foxes. The longest barreled Fox small bore I own is 30".