Fox Collectors

Hi Guys,

First I'd like to say I been reading your forum for quite sometime and thanks for all the great information. And I finally joined today. Started collecting 2 years ago, but I seem to have started collecting Foxes a little late, but always looking. Liking the small bores and 26 inch barrels over a pointing dog.

Looking at the SW directory my 16 ga Savage 1937 and 20 ga 1915 (20 ga picked up Sunday outside Agri Hall) are both Brush Guns. 26 inch with a non-cap wood stock. What can you tell me about these?

Will send pictures once I figure out how to.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62102023@N00/2260813175/
Thanks and Best Regards

From your picture it looks like the 16-gauge Fox-Sterlingworth is doing what it was meant to do. A 1937-vintage gun likely started life with modern 2 3/4 inch chambers

A 1915-vintage Sterlingworth should have started life with a capped pistol grip. If it has a stock like your 16-gauge with the capless full-pistol grip it must have been back to Savage for a new one at some point in time. That could well be a good thing as the Savage-era stocks for the Brush guns normally were about 1/4 inch straighter then the Philadelphia era stocks. A 1915-vintage 20-gauge Sterlingworth started life chambered for the old 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge shells. If the gun was back to Savage for a new stock, they very likely lengthened the chambers at that time.

Hi Researcher,

Thanks for your reply, and you are correct the 1937 Savage barrels say Special Alloy - Forged Steel (R) Savage Arms Corp Utica N.Y. USA Proof Test - 16 GA 2 3/4 inch chambers (L), all original. And yes it still works great, I finally understand what the old timers meant by sweet 16.

As for the 20ga 1915 SW it has the same stock, but damaged. Missing wood at the receiver, and you can see the safety rod operate. But everything works. I believe your theory about Savage reworking the gun is true. To my surprise a 2 3/4 snap cap fit the chamber. I would like to restock the gun with the correct original stock style. So it sounds like a factory letter is the next step. The only history is "found in an attic in NJ." I always wonder how much stuff is out there.

Thanks again and Best Regards