Recently I purchased two 16 gauge Fox Sterlingworth shotguns, one 28 inch extractor gun and the other one a 26 inch ejector gun. Both looked to be in good shape but upon firing them some issues became evident. On gun number 1, with the 28 inch barrels the shells would not extract after the gun was opened. By that I mean they literally had to be pried from the chambers with a screw driver. That gun was found to be off face and has since been sent to Keith Kearcher for repair and to have a new recoil pad installed.
The second gun with the 26 inch barrels worked fine as far as ejection but after a few shots the left barrel would only fire approximately one out of five times. It was sent back to the seller for repair. The gun was repaired by David Yale and then sent back. Now upon firing the right barrel the gun would open up enough that the safety was pushed back not allowing the left barrel to fire. It was sent back to David Yale so he could take care of that problem. Both guns are still out.
In the meantime I had sent for factory letters from John T. Callahan. I had thought each gun was pretty much a plain Jane model. The letters arrived yesterday and to my great surprise the extractor model, serial number 368277 was a Sterlingworth Deluxe Field, choked modified and full and was shipped on October 16, 1930. The other gun, serial number 374126, was listed as a Sterlingworth Brush Ejector, choked improved cylinder and modified. It was shipped on February 17, 1939. According to the letter this gun, “was originally started as a “Trap” version. Because it was available in inventory and near the end of Fox production, it was likely refitted with 26“ barrels for a customer order.”
When the guns finally come home I will take photos and submit them to the forum for comments. Yes I could have sent the guns back but for the price I paid I am satisfied with paying for the repairs.
Dennis
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