Fox Collectors

I picked up a wildfowl gun this summer to start as a project gun. I wanted a semi custom waterfowl gun. After getting the gun I have decided to keep it in is original condition and just use it as is. I am awaiting the letter on the gun and I wonder if it will note what (to me) is an unusual checkering patterning and beaver tail for these guns.

As most know these were made from HE or Super Fox parts in a attempt by Savage to fill a niche and reduce inventory in the mid 30's.
I had wondered just how these guns patterned. If it was anything like the Fabled Super Fox. Today I finally made time to get out the patterning board an see just how this downgraded HE sprayed lead. To my pleasant surprise the gun patterned 91% right and 92% left barrels with Federal 2 3/4 inch, 1 1/4oz, #4's. The patterns were not the most even I have seen but I think that is a matter of finding the right load. I will have to work with some 3" non toxic load to see how this baby will do in the field but it looks like it will work on the tall ones if I can do my job.
Below is on photo of the gun, a couple of more are on the stw photo forum.

That looks like pretty much the standard pattern for a gun with the Deeley lever forearm.



This is the pattern for a Fox-Sterlingworth with the snap-on/off forearm.



That is one nice looking Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowl. The other seven I've recorded all have the Savage-era capless full pistol grip. The 13 regular Fox-Sterlingworths before the nest of Wildfowls (134103 to 134130) all had the caples pistol grip.

Jess, a very nice gun. Excellent patterns for long range work. Thanks
for sharing the pics. I really like that wave pattern cyanide color
case. Some of the modern makers offering case colored receivers
could learn a thing or two from looking at guns like yours. Frank

It looks like the gun is is the 34XXX serial range...I didnt realize that the Waterfowls were in the "graded gun" serial block rather than the "Sterlingworth" block. Interestin' !

Any chance you could take a shot or two of the bbl flats and watertable?

Great looking Utica-era gun!!! Thanks, Tom

Marshfellow:

I think you need to add a "1" to the front of the serial number.

The Sn is 134116 so it is right in the SW range Dave mentioned.

I will get a photo of the flats and barrel in a bit. The flats are simply marked with the serial number and 3 inch top and bottom no mention of not warranted.
The one issue with the gun right now is that the single trigger doubles when the right barrel is selected. It works fine with the left selected.
I don't know anything about these triggers so I may just use it with the left selected since the season is so close.

In addition to the nest of Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowls in the 1341xx range, I've recorded two that do have graded gun serial numbers in the low 35xxx range. Probably guns that were started as HE-Grades but ended up being finished in Sterlingworth dress.

I've never patterned my Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowl, but it has conventional .728" bores with .039" choke in each tube. It is chambered for 3-inch shells.