Fox Collectors

Dave, et al,

What is the highest serial number on a 16ga Sterly that you have seen & recorded?? I was just going thru some guns and I found 371237....kinda similar in range to the 20ga that was being discussed. 26"....super high original condition...rather vivid. Forgot that I had it.

tjw

The 16-gauge Fox-Sterlingworth serial numbers go a lot higher than 20-gauges. The old Lightner Library serial number chronology says they go up to 378481, while 20-gauges go up to 271304. The highest 16-gauge I've recorded is 378404, a Fox-Sterlingworth Ejector Brush with twin ivory sights that I examined at Greentop Sporting Goods north of Richmond, Virginia, November 2001. I was thinking of buying it as I didn't own a 26-inch barrel 16-gauge Fox, but I was also in a hurry to get up the road 90 miles to Alexandria and home. The problem was the instant background check phone system was down, so I hit the road without it. The gun was in nearly new condition, and exhibited the absolute worst of Savage workmanship. Now, here a few months short of a decade later, I scored the 26-inch barrel 16-gauge Fox-Sterlingworth Skeet & Upland Game Gun, and finally have a 26-inch barrel 16-gauge Fox.

In addition to the sixteen thousand number gap from 143802 to 160195 that I have in my observed 12-gauge S-worths, I have a similar four thousand phenomenon in 20-gauge S-worths 265717 to 270121. Anyone have guns with serial numbers in these gaps? I don't have any noticable big gaps in my 16-gauge S-worth serial numbers.

Thanks Dave....I sort of figured the 16s keep going as I knew they made many more than 20s but I had never paid any attention. I'll make a note of your "gaps" and sent up a flare if I find one that fills a hole.

Off you Hausmann's today, but first I have to drive into the bowels of PA to pick up an "interesting" find and then double back.

Per Mr. Marshfellow: "Off you Hausmann's today, but first I have to drive into the bowels of PA to pick up an "interesting" find and then double back."

More intrique! Something else to look forward to.

Jolly

Bill, tell us what you scored on your PA search.

eightbore: "Bill, tell us what you scored on your PA search."

You meant: "Tom (aka Marshfellow), tell us what you scored on your PA search."

Jolly

Sure enough, Bill, I misread the post. I guess we saw what Marshfellow detoured for.

Dave,

There are two AH Fox Sterlingworth (Phila) 16 ga. sxs's on Gunrunner Auctions--a 26" , serial No. 352406, and a 28", serial number 361406. Can you tell me when they were made?

According to the old Lightner Library Fox Chronology they'd be 1916 and 1927. Only a Callahan letter is going to get you any closer than that. The gun I have in the 3605xx range letters to July 9, 1928.