Fox Collectors

I acquired a 12 ga. Sterlingworth double gun a few years ago. It is marked on the barrels with (left side) Made by A.H.Fox Gun Co. Phila PA, USA and (right side) Sterlingworth Fluid Compressed Steel. It has 30" barrels with matching SN 1194xx in all three standard locations. The receiver is marked just the SN and the patent dates: Aug 15-04, Aug 1-05, Jan ???, May 11-09May 2-11 and June???. The sides are marked "sterlingworth" on both sides. (Not "The Sterlingworth Co.") Barrel flats are marked with a pointed square followed by the SN. Both barrels are stamped the a "2".It has a half pistol grip, a few minor wood dings, but otherwise very good.Checkering is clean with no defects, and flat-topped diamonds. Barrels show no pitting, but some discoloration. Finish appears to be 90-95%. Bores are both like mirrors with no visible pitting. From the SN, I think the date should be 1928.

1. Is it shootable with modern shells or should I load light?
2. Any estimate of value? Best I get from reading posts is about $800.
I have no intention of selling, but I would like to take a few pheasants this fall.

Pictures attached

Additional pictures

Judge,$800 would be a good guess on value. The most common length barrels on 12 gauge Sterlingworths was 30" with typical chokes being full and modified. I have one in the same # range as yours and I've pretty much shot anything I wanted through it with the exception of steel. If you intend any high volume shooting your shoulder and the guns stock will prefer light loads, otherwise, I wouldn't worry myself too much about it. Fred

Hi,

Same here. I have a Sterlingworth, made by A.H. Fox Gun Company, Phila, PA, USA....16g serial# 353405. I'm looking for information about it. If you could help I would be very grateful.

Thank You,

Sailor

The approximate manufacture date on your 16 would be 1917. The typical 16 bore Sterlingworth will likely have 28" barrels and be choked mod. and full. 16's were built on the small frame that was used for the 16 and 20 both. The frame will be much slimmer than a 12 gauge gun and about a pound lighter.

Thank U Fullchoke. Any idea on a value?

Sailor: I agree w/ fullchoke on the value of a 12 bore SW. A 16 bore would probably bring @ 50% more in the same condition.

Best Regards, George

Thank you George.

I'm just getting started in this and find the history exciting. If I understand, my 16 Gauge is worth +/-50% more than the 12 gauge? Where or how may I determine the monetary value for this piece?

Kind Regards,

Sailor

If you put it on gunbroker without a reserve the selling price will be it's value.

Thank You .....

You can also look at the completed auctions and find a similar item.

As a market indicator, at the Rochester NY gun show a week ago, there was a 12 gauge Philadelphia Sterlingworth walking around that was at least as good looking as your S'worth. The guy was asking $650.00. Not sure if he sold it.

Jolly

Just thinking about the current market, I believe that's a good observation. Entry level guns will take more of a hit in a poor economy. Nice CE and XE guns will always hold their price. On the 16 gauge, I'd agree with George at +/- 50%. You can pretty much double the price when you get to a 20 gauge. Fred

Thank you all. Keep the info coming.....

Sailor,

With out seeing your gun, its really hard to say... I have seen SEVERAL 16 gauge sell for well under $1000 but also saw one sell for around $1800 despite having had a $1200 buy it now price when originally listed.

Condition is a huge factor on price... only the highest of condition SWs are valuable to collectors (or the few exceptionally rare versions), the rest are all shooters. Lots of other things effect value, barrel length, ejectors/etractors, stock dimensions, etc. $600-about $2200 is about the range for a 16 gauge from what I have seen. I could think of 16 SWs configurations and condition that could command well over $2200 but have never seen it.

Just my $.02