Serial number on a Sterlingworth

[caflyer96]

I have a Fox Sterlingworh with a much lower serial # than 50000. The number is 32800 and is on all three pieces (ie) barrels. forstock, and action. On the right barrel is "STERLINGWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL" and on the left barrel is "MADE BY A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA.USA. I am trying to find out the age of this Fox. Any ideas?

[Researcher]

We need to see pictures. I see three possibilities. One, you are missing a leading 1 on that serial number. Two, you have a graded gun that has had a set of Sterlingworth barrels fitted to it. Does it say "Sterlingworth", "Fox-Sterlingworth" or "Ansley H. Fox" on the sides of the frame? Three, you have one of the very-few Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowls that were produced with graded 12-gauge serial numbers.

[FOXIST]

caflyer
Sounds interesting. What are the specs on the gun? 32" bbl? How much does it weigh? The Gun could possibly be a Sterlingworth Wildfowl which is a very desirable gun. I believe Researcher had stated he had seen some Sterlingwrth Wildfowls with graded Fox Serial #'s.
The gun could also be a Graded Fox that was back to the factory for replacement barrels at some point and the customer opted for the cheaper sterlingworth barrels. Do you have any pictures that you could post? we would sure like to see this interesting gun.

[FOXIST]

Dave looks like you and I were typing at the same time!! I was thinking the same thing Sterlingworth Wildfowl!!!

[caflyer96]

I will have pictures. All I have to do is figure out how to download them to this forum.

[Researcher]

One needs to load their pictures onto a photo server like Photobucket then paste the link for the photo between the [img]link[/img] here.

[yelloh564]

With S/N's on all 3 pieces I'd say its one of the Wildfowl SW's. If you said it had ejectors and was a heavy gun (8.5 lbs or more) then I'd be certain of it.

[caflyer96]

No ejectors, weighs 5.5 pounds and has 28" bbl. Pictures soon

[caflyer96]

[img]http://photobucket.com/caflyer96[/img]

[AmarilloMike]

This will take you to his photobucket site.

http://photobucket.com/caflyer96









Best,

Mike

[Silvers]

Interesting gun, water table doesn't have the typical patent date stuff stamped in place and its s/n is stamped farther forward than usual. Also - the s/n on the barrel flats is located at 90-degrees from the norm. Lastly, often there are subtle differences in the size (height) of the numbers/figures due to being marked with different stamps while in the production process. All three of these appear to have been done with the same set of stamps. Lunch box special? Silvers

[eightbore]

Lunch box gun, probably numbered outside of the factory. Very interesting and collectable gun, but only in my opinion. Possibly put together by someone who had lots of parts, for example Norman Strebe or the fellow who is often mentioned here as a parts and refinish guru. As a full service FFL dealer or manufacturer, either one would be required to number a new gun for sale after 1968. Unnumbered used guns can remain unnumbered, but I think that a newly manufactured gun must be numbered.

[AmarilloMike]

calyflyer it just occured to me that I should have asked if it was all right if I fixed your link and / or posted all the pictures.

Sorry.

Thanks!

Mike

[caflyer96]

Mike: I couldn't get it to work so I am glad that you did.

Chris

[Researcher]

That single diamond of checkering on the forearm is not the usual Sterlingworth checkering pattern. I'm voting for a fairly early Philadelphia employee's lunch box gun. At that light a weight I take it that the gun is a 20-gauge?