Tips on determining originality of a Fox shotgun

[bigolddave]

New member here, snuck in through the Savage forum.

I have a Philadelphia Fox Sterlingworth in what seems to be unlikely fine condition. Blue, case colors, bore are all extremely good, and the lever is right of center. What are things to look for that may indicate having been refurbished, or originality?

[setterspell]

Welcome bigolddave, One of the first things you notice on Sterlingworth guns is the checkering. Original Sterlingworth guns have flat checkering. Tons of Sterlies have fallen to the idea of "upgrading" to pointed checkering. I'm not a pro at this but I know a whole lot more now than I did before I joined AHFCA. I'm sure others here will chime in what makes A Fox "right"
Some pictures of your gun would be most helpful. Congrats on your new Sterlie!

[Researcher]

Show us some good pictures and we'll offer opinions.

[vaturkey]

IMO case colors will be a good indication of whether the gun has been messed with. If they are bone charcoal colors then they are probably wrong for a Sterlingworth unless they are a really really early gun. Far as I know no Savage made guns had bone charcoal colors and instead and cyanide case colors. You can look at the examples on this website. If you post pics we will probably know for sure, but the case colors are a pretty good indication of whether the gun has been redone or not.