beaver tail forearm on sterlingworth

[adamato]

I inherited a sterlingworth with 26" barrels choked cyl/cyl. I would expect that the barrels have been cut, although both are touching the rib and there are no machine marks. Also, it has a beavertail forearm, which I find odd in a sterlingworth. The serial number is 97125. MFG 1922. All numbers match, lock, barrels and metal on forearm. Would anyone have information as to whether or not this configuration is original?

[Twice Barrel]

Beaver Tail Forends were offered at an additonal cost so it is possible. To be sure check the inside of the forend to see if the serial number is stamped between the barrel channels. Lacking a serial number stamp send several photos of the forend showing both the checkering and the inside of the forend. There are several other ways to tell if the forend meets Fox style and specifications of the period.

[Researcher]

Beavertail forearms were only catalogued for Fox-Sterlingworths late in the Savage years. The first catalogue offerings of a beavertail forearm on a Fox-Sterlingworth was as an extra-cost option on the Fox-Sterlingworth Skeet & Upland Game Guns beginning with their introduction in the 1935 Fox Catalogues. Beginning with the 1937 Fox Catalogues beavertails were offered as an extra-cost option on all Fox-Sterlingworths.

The A.H. Fox Gun Co. never catalogued beavertail forearms. The first catalogue listing of beavertail forearms, even for graded guns, occurs with the 1931, Fox Catalogues and price lists. All the above said, we know the A.H. Fox Gun Co. made a few graded guns during the 1920s with beavertail forearms. I was over forty-five years into playing with Fox shotguns before I ever saw and handled a "rightious" Philadelphia-era beavertail forearm. I certainly won't say it is impossible, but it is highly unlikely, that a "made to stock spercifications" gun like a Philadelphia-era Sterlingworth was ever special ordered with a beavertail. The few Philadelphia-era Sterlingworths I've seen with what appears to be a "factory" beavertail, appear to have been guns restocked and/or fitted with a second set of barrels by Savage.

Here is a link to a thread with pictures of a late 20-gauge Fox-Sterlingworth Ejector with an original beavertail -- http://foxcollectors.com/My%20Forum/php ... =11&t=2580