Dad's Fox Sterlingworth

[PA Boxcall]

New member here.

I have my Dad's Fox Sterlingworth. He grew up in the suburbs of Philly, and as a teen he purchased it from his parent's next door neighbor who was the original owner. Dad carried it through the fields of south central PA during many years small game hunting, and was an excellent shot with it.

I used to carry it a bit in high school chasing pheasants, but for the most part its been retired since the 1980s. I'm a turkey hunter and have a dedicated H&R single for that business, haven't chased pheasants in decades.

Serial numbers all match, and from my research the gun was built in 1929. The one barrel does have a small dent that's been there since he bought it in the 1950s. If anyone has some thoughts about it, I'd like to hear them. Bit apprehensive about shooting today's shotshell loads through it, wonder if the stock could handle a high brass load.

Here it is:

[Researcher]

Looks like a nice veteran that has seen service but still in nice shootable condition. What is the barrel length?

Bit apprehensive about shooting today's shotshell loads through it, wonder if the stock could handle a high brass load.

Progressive burning smokeless powder, high velocity loads were introduced in 1922, so 124542 has likely digested its share over the last 97 years. You certainly can't use anything but lead or the softer nontoxic shot such as Bismuth. No steel shot!

The Sterlingworth from the 1928-9 A.H. Fox Gun Co. catalog --

Magazine ad from the November 1929 National Sportsman --

[Jeff S]

That’s a nice family heirloom that deserves to be treasured. Thanks for sharing the story and posting pictures.

[Foxnut]

Assuming from your handle and comments that you are into turkey hunting. We’d love to see a pic of you with a big gobbler holding that Sterlingworth!!! There are definitely loads that it can handle that would be deadly on a gobbler!!

[PA Boxcall]

Thanks for sharing those factory advertisements from Fox, Researcher - very much appreciated.

Its seen its fair share of high brass over the many years it spent afield, that's for sure.

I am a turkey hunter, pretty much the only thing I pursue both spring and fall seasons. If I were to tote this double...I was thinking of running 1 & 1/8 oz. Federal lead 6s, the Game Load at 1,330 fps. Limit shots to within 35 yards. Figured that shouldn't be too hard on that old piece of walnut.

[67galaxie]

Absolutely use it with modern 2 3/4 lead ammo. Great for turkeys especially if it has 2 different choke sizes for different distances

[Silvers]

FYI, the traditional 'High Brass" 12 gauge load was (and is) 1-1/4 ounce of lead shot at 1330 speed. When I was a kid almost all local PA hunters out for mixed small game with SxS's would have a Low Brass Field load in the right barrel and a High Brass in the left. Most of these Sterlies have digested plenty of 1-1/4 ounce loads over their glory days in the field but now it seems many vintage double gun enthusiasts get edgy with anything beyond so-called low pressure (lower velocity and lighter payload) shells. That makes sense for a round of 50 or so clays but not for hunting, at least it doesn’t to me. frank

[PA Boxcall]

Thanks, Silvers. Your insight is appreciated.

I've been looking at different high brass commercial loads (I don't reload myself), and settled on Winchester Super X Upland #6s. That's a 1 and 1/8oz. load chrono'd at 1,255 fps. That is more than adequate to chase the spring gobblers or fall flocks around the big woods.

Back in the 1980s and early 90s, that Fox ate a bunch of whatever high brass #4s or 5s or 6s that we found at K-Mart or local sporting goods stores that were on sale. I started at age 12 with a pump gun....but recall once carrying that Fox double as a young adult...at the flush I pulled both triggers simultaneously, just wasn't thinking....big wake up moment, lol, and never did that again!

Fun to learn more about Dad's old shotgun, he carried it many, many seasons through the hedgerows and cornfields every fall.

[Silvers]

Boxcall, I know you're in in Western PA but if less than a few hours drive you might consider doing the upcoming Northeast Side by Side for a day or two. June 4-6 at Hausmann's Hidden Hollow Sporting Clays in Friendsville PA (near Montrose, the Susquehanna County seat). Plenty of SxS shooting and guns for sale/trade/buys under the big tent and with noted Dealers. All of the vintage SxS Collectors groups are set up also. This event, commonly called Hausmann's, is a long time mainstay of our A H Fox Collectors Association. You can meet and rub elbows with many of us there. frank

Look under "Events" for details
www.hhhsc.net

[PA Boxcall]

Boxcall, I know you're in in Western PA but if less than a few hours drive you might consider doing the upcoming Northeast Side by Side for a day or two. June 4-6 at Hausmann's Hidden Hollow Sporting Clays in Friendsville PA (near Montrose, the Susquehanna County seat). Plenty of SxS shooting and guns for sale/trade/buys under the big tent and with noted Dealers. All of the vintage SxS Collectors groups are set up also. This event, commonly called Hausmann's, is a long time mainstay of our A H Fox Collectors Association. You can meet and rub elbows with many of us there. frank

Look under "Events" for details
www.hhhsc.net

Frank - with a full and modified choke on my Fox would I be competitive shooting a sporting clays event?

I've only did sporting clays once, and with a brand new Ithaca Featherweight 12 pump that I never shot before. I sorted through the tubes that came with it, screwed in an IC choke tube, loaded 4 boxes of field loads in my old camo turkey vest dump pockets, and broke 66 / 100. It was fun. Sporting clays is a bunch of fun! Early June coming quick, and it would be a 2.5 hour trip from our camp in north central PA. Doubtful this year but might do this for sure next year!

[Silvers]

Many of the Fox and other maker enthusiasts shoot the original chokes on the sporting courses and 5-Stand, whatever they may be but often Mod & Full. It’s not like the Northeast SxS is the World SC Championship. Actually there’s a contingent who challenge themselves with the tightest chokes and refer to them as “Mens Department chokes”. A real measure of skill to turn a clay into diesel smoke.

There are many who attend who don’t even shoot and are there to gun shop or just for the socializing and camaraderie.

Hopefully you can see your way to attend this year. You won’t regret it. frank