New to sterlingworth

[Spudth]

I'm looking at a number of fox & sterlingworth guns in a private collection. I have a few days to learn what I can about these before making an offer. One of the guns is heavily engraved, another is relatively plain. Thanks in advance for the direction

[Fin2Feather]

That's not a lot of information to go on. Maybe spend some time looking at various grades, etc. here and try to identify what you're looking at. Once you have a better handle on the guns many folks here can offer suggestions, and you can go to the various gun selling sites (Gunbroker, etc.) to get a feel for what they're selling for.

[Researcher]

The Sterlingworth was the entry-level A.H. Fox shotgun, made for stock, and to "standard" specifications. You had to get into the graded (A- to FE-Grade) Ansley H. Fox doubles for buyer specified stock dimensions, choice of grip style and options such as a Monte Carlo or cheek piece. A 1913 A.H. Fox Gun Co. Sterlingworth folder --

[bryanemch]

Pictures would be best for guys to assess. Sterlys are a wonderful, reliable gun. I would take a closer look at the heavily engraved gun as it could be a graded gun, or an upgrade. A nice Sterling worth is a good way to start a Fox collection. Good luck.

[vaturkey]

Sounds like you are looking at one Sterlingworth and one graded Fox. Maybe you can post a few pics.

[vaturkey]

Duplicate.

[Jeff S]

Mr. Spudth. You’ve come to the right place and many of us would like to help you identify these guns. Do you feel comfortable removing the barrels from the frame? If you do, you’ll be able to tell the grade of the gun. Notice in the attached picture there is a “B” after the serial number. Knowing the grade would be helpful.

[Spudth]

This is great information. The guns 4 or 5 are a distance away from me and I have some poor photos. Perhaps I will arrange to look at them. At this point all I see is engraved or not engraved.

Thanks

[Spudth]

Forgive my lack of knowledge on these guns. I believe I am looking at two different guns. A.H.Fox guns and sterlingworth. Right? If it doesn't say sterlingworth it isn't right? I'm going to try and have a look at them.

[Jeff S]

Forgive my lack of knowledge on these guns. I believe I am looking at two different guns. A.H.Fox guns and sterlingworth. Right? If it doesn't say sterlingworth it isn't right? I'm going to try and have a look at them.

Just to reiterate what “Researcher” said, the Sterlingworth was made by A H Fox. It’s mechanically the same, it simply does not have the engraving. And, then there are several “levels” (grades) of engraving.

[Researcher]

At the time the Sterlingworth was introduced, 1910, the graded Ansley H. Fox doubles all had European Walnut (Juglans regia) stocks and forearms and Krupp Fluid Steel barrels. The Sterlingworth was stocked with American Walnut (Juglans nigra) and came with barrels the A.H. Fox Gun Co. called Sterlingworth Fluid Compressed Steel. Between the 1916 and 1917 A.H. Fox Gun Co. catalogs the text for the graded guns changes to Chromox Fluid Steel, and the text for the A-/AE- and B-/BE-grades changes to "selected dark Walnut" no more English or European. I have recorded later Krupp barrel guns and in a couple of instances have seen barrels roll-stamped Chromox on top with vestiges of Krupp markings on the underside.

[Jeff S]

Thanks Dave.