Fox Collectors

Looked at a little 20 gauge SW ejector (Philly gun) that had 28" barrels at my local gunshop today. Was in to have a new stock because the old one was cracked. The existing stock had the classic round knob like a graded gun. First one I've ever seen. Was getting a round knob on a SW an available option? PS. Don't have the serial number, wasn't my gun and I didn't write the number down. PS. Buttplate looked original as well.

I have a friend who has a 26" 20 gauge Fox ejector sterlingworth.Stock looks original with about 2 7/8" or so of drop and factory butt plate.I have a couple i restocked with round knobs. Bobby

For the A.H. Fox Gun Co. in Philadelphia, the Sterlingworth was a "stock" gun made to standard specifications. Any change from those cost extra and quickly got one into the price of an A-Grade where the choice of grip style and stock dimensions were part of the deal. Every A.H. Fox Gun Co. catalogue that carries the Sterlingworth from 1911 to 1929 states -- "THE STOCK is best quality plain American Walnut, thoroughly seasoned, nicely checkered on grip and forend. Full capped pistol grip only."

Are you sure it was a Sterlingworth Ejector? Sure it wasn't an early-style AE-Grade?

Researcher wrote:For the A.H. Fox Gun Co. in Philadelphia, the Sterlingworth was a "stock" gun made to standard specifications. Any change from those cost extra and quickly got one into the price of an A-Grade where the choice of grip style and stock dimensions were part of the deal. Every A.H. Fox Gun Co. catalogue that carries the Sterlingworth from 1911 to 1929 states -- "THE STOCK is best quality plain American Walnut, thoroughly seasoned, nicely checkered on grip and forend. Full capped pistol grip only."

Are you sure it was a Sterlingworth Ejector? Sure it wasn't an early-style AE-Grade?

Certainly a sterlingworth, marked on the sides and had the classic escutcheon in the forearm for the ejector. Gun was good and tight but the stock was cracked very badly. Barrels were sound, but the receiver had some rust. Was owned by a fellow named Byrd and supposedly had been in the family since it was made. Also had SW type checkering as well.

My son in law has a Sterlingworth 16 that his dad bought used in the 60s. It has a B grade stock, English walnut, finer checkering with checkered side panels, round knob, and the serial number stamped in the head of the stock. The barrels are 26" Improved and modified with over 4" of choke constriction. It letters as a standard Sterlingworth sold to Sears and Roebuck with 28" barrels.

I've never figured it out. The barrels are numbered to the gun, the stock is numbered to the gun and the barrels have the proper markings for the age of the gun (Not Savage era barrels)

If it had been sold to an individual, I might have thought it went to a Fox employee who dolled it up a little but It went to Sears.

It makes no diference since he's never going to sell it but it makes me wonder.

Was the serial number stamped in the head of the stock on the gun you saw?

I've got plenty of stamps. I could stamp serial numbers in wood.

This particular smith is not the fellow I use on my Fox guns. He local and does long range rifle work. That said, he is going to restock on the gun for Mr. Byrd. I asked him once he takes off the buttstock can he check for serial numbers. Next time I go in (next week) I'll get the serial number. I'm guessing he will have this gun for several months as he is pretty busy with groundhog rifles and such.

PS. I offered to buy the gun as is, but the original owner won't sell at any price (not that I was offering that much mind you).

Resercher,

I have a great respect for you knowlege. You truly should write a book about Fox and perhaps other brands of guns. If I had you knowlege, I certainly would.

I recoginize that anyone could stamp serial numbers into the head of a shotgun stock but why would someone go to the trouble to do so with a $200 gun. When Charlie Jordan bought that shotgun, 16 gauge Sterlingworths were a dime a dozen. Why would someone put B grade wood on a gun (buttstock and forend) like that and go to the trouble to stamp serial numbers into the stock head. If it were a B, C, or D grade gun I would suspect that but you know what 16 gauge Sterlingworths sold for in 1968, they brought less than a 12 gauge.

Further, the letter states the gun has 28" modified and full barrels when the barrels are 26" with 4" of choke constriction. you're much more knowlegable than I am but have you ever seen a gun with 6" of choke constriction?

I have no idea how this gun came to be as it is, but I don't think anyone would have gone to the trouble to fake a 16 gauge Sterlingworth in 1968 and I know Charlie Jordan, a rabbit hunter who liked the gun because it was light and had no interest in collectable shotguns, didn't commision someone to restock and rebarrel a $200 gun.

All I'm saying is that it's possible guns went out the door from time to time using existing parts or changes that might not have shown up on the records.

Doesn't make a hill of beans either way since Jeff wouldn't take $10,000 for his Dad's gun. It's just curious to me.

Very Respectfully, Dick Jones