Fox Collectors

I have a couple of questions for the members here about the Sterlingworths. I read in McIntosh's book that when the SWs were first produced (1910), barrel lengths were a standard 30"; did that change with time? Also, did the SWs use numbered barrel weights, as #1-4? Finally, what is the consensus, did the quality of SWs change over the years of production in Phila, or remain the same?

Thanks, Scott

Hello NJdblegun,

There are others here far more knowledgeable than I, but the short answers are yes to all with perhaps exception to the very first "Sterlingworth Co." Sterlingworth guns. David Noreen (aka Researcher on this site) composed an excellent 2-part series in the DGJ Vol. 15, Issues 3&4 (Fall, Winter 2004) on the Sterlinworth guns of A.H. Fox. If you do not have copies of these issues you may be able to purchase back issues. I have SW models ranging from 1914 - 1929 (Philly guns) and there are indeed varying quality attributes, generally declining in later years of production.

Best,
jmc

For the barrel lengths on Sterlingworths, the A.H. Fox Gun Co., and later Savage, used names -- 26" - Brush, 28" - Field, 30" - Standard, and 32" Trap. Didn't mater if it was a 12-, 16-, or 20-gauge. In the 1911 and 1912 catalogues only Standard, Field and Brush were offered with 32-inch barrels being a $2 extra option. Later the Trap model was offered at the same price as the others. Yes Sterlingworths came in various barrel weights. I've found actual gun weights to vary much more then the catalogue listed weight range.

When the Sterlingworth came out in 1910 it had a price of $25. That climbed to $55 by 1919. A.H. Fox Gun Co. reduced the price to $48 in 1922 and again to $36.50 in 1926. Workmanship of course declined. The price of the Parker Bros. Trojan Grade came out in 1912 at $27.50 and escalated in a similar fashon, but they kept the price and the workmanship high and only sold 33,005 Trojans to over 150000 Sterlingworths.

Savage kept the $36.50 price until June 1932 when they upped it to $39.50. On February 10, 1936, they upped the price again to $42.85 (the digits 2 and 8 are transposed in McIntosh's book). On February 1, 1938, Savage tried a price cut and dropped it to $35. February 1, 1939, they upped the price to $44.75. January 2, 1940, up again to $48.50. January 2, 1941, up to $52.65 and June 16 up again to $56.50. January 2, 1942, up again to $64.95.

Thanks jmc and Researcher. It looks like I can order back copies of DGJ from doublegunshop.com, and I think I've seen reprints of AH Fox catalogs on ebay. I recently picked up a 1915 Sterlingworth, in excellent condition, and the quality did appear better than newer Sterlingworths I have owned. For example, the engraving/stamping seems much nicer. No barrel weights can be seen tho.