Decimal in serial #?

[thepreach]

I have a Fox Sterlingworth 12 gauge, 30" barrel. The serial # looks like it is 7354.8, and I have been unable to find any information in regards to Fox side-by-side guns with decimals in the serial #. It has the same serial # on the trigger guard tang and the action, and both distinctly have a decimal. Any Fox experts out there that can help me identify this beauty? Is it a possible mismark in both locations? Thanks.

[MARSHFELLOW]

..........never heard of such a thing myself.. others????

tjw

[fox-admin]

Looks like a slip of the graver to me. Craig

[Silvers]

That's a "stylistic 4" as was common back in the day and it had a very short vertical graver cut at the right end of the horizonal line in the "4". It looks to me like the trigger guard tail was buffed or similar, which removed the right end of the horizontal line but not the vertical part. I own a CE Fox s/n 10xx4 and the 4 is as I described it here. Sorry I don't have time to take/post a supermacro pic.

However you mentioned that the serial number on the action (frame) also has that unique "4". The frame serial number on a Sterlingworth should be stamped, not engraved as on the tigger guard tail. Please post a pic of that number. A plausible explanation is the "4" die was damaged and the right part of the horizontal line in the 4 was chipped out. Weird. Silvers

[jolly bill]

The Preach,

This is what Frank/Silver's was describing on that "4" engraved on your trigger guard that looks like it has a decimal point.

Picture below of my AE16 with serial number 301444. Shows it real well.

Jolly

[jolly bill]

This picture might show it better.

Jolly

[thepreach]

Thanks for all of the replies, this makes perfect sense now. I will post a picture of the action as soon as I get a chance. Thanks again.

[MARSHFELLOW]

As Frank pointed out, I was surprised to hear that it was on the action as well as that would be stamped.

tjw