Fox Collectors

I am new to the Fox Collectors and a new owner of an interesting Fox Sterlingworth. The letter from Mr. Callahan states that it was originally built as a standard Sterlingworth Field, walnut stock, 28”, modified, full,16 gauge and shipped from Utica NY on September 26, 1932. The gun now has a straight stock, beavertail forearm, double sights (the front sight is a ramp sight), Old English pad and ejectors. Mr. Callahan noted that the upgrade may have been done at the factory judging from certain features. The ejector serial number matches the gun, and appears to be the same as the Savage Beavertail (DGJ winter 2014 p 142-3). I have not yet removed the stock to see if the stock is likewise numbered (as in article from Silvers). All numbers on the gun match. The stock strongly resembles pictures of the stocks on 2 trap guns in the Fall 2011 Newsletter. I am also thinking of removing the excessive varnish put on by the previous owner, now deceased, who once lived close to the factory. I’m not going to mess with the buffalo nickels. I think that this is a factory upgrade. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I really enjoy the posts and information contained on the website. I have posted several pictures for reference. I look forward to any comments. Jimmy

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On the right is the beavertail forearm of a 16-gauge Fox-Sterlingworth Deluxe Ejector Field that letters with a beavertail --



Interior of the beavertail forearm of a 16-gauge Fox-Sterlingworth Deluxe Ejector Field that letters --



People can believe whatever they want, but without firm documentation it is all speculation. As for the grip cap on the gun Frank shows, that is not a "normal" capped pistol grip stock as found on Savage-era Fox-Sterlingworths. A Fox-Sterlingworth Ejector Brush shipped in February 1938 --



It is the typical late Savage-era Fox-Sterlingworth capless pistol grip stock, but with a grip cap fitted.



To my eye the shape of that beavertail forearm on 133567 and the gun in question here is not quite the same as those I've seen that letter. Maybe it is a style Savage used later on retrofits?

The long flutes to the comb of the gun in question don't look like any factory work I've seen.

IMO that looks like a Savage-origin beavertail but minus the two parallel grooves along the wood ridge between the barrels, and without the gun's serial number stamped on that ridge. Both are atypical as per Savage convention. Also the s/n on the forend iron is stamped more forward than usual, although the number font appears to be proper. Perhaps the work was done off the books by someone who worked at Savage? Regarding the buttstock I can't see enough of it on the pics to comment.

When trying to verify undocumented A H Fox guns it usually comes down to getting opinions from resources, and a watchout is that those who proffer opinions can have different spans and depth of Fox technical knowledge. If made as a Standard Sterlingworth as noted by Mr JTC, then this gun is a conversion from extractor to ejectors. On that line I've seen fellows comment, that all it takes to convert a Fox frame is to knock out the plugs in the frame knuckle and install the proper ejector parts. In fact it's a lot more complicated than that, and such work was best done by factory personnel. In sum of all these considerations I think the beavertail/ejector upgrade work shown here might have been done in-house at Utica but perhaps not through the regular factory repair/refit channels. Trying to unravel what happened on undocumented Fox guns some eighty or so years ago can be a good learning experience but in many cases the owner is then left to "choose his expert".

I really appreciate your comments. I read Silvers article "By the Number" while waiting for my letter. I was surprised that the gun lettered as an extractor rather than as the ejector it is. I sent Mr. Callahan pictures and he peeked my curiosity by saying that the upgrade may have been done at the factory judging by certain of the features. The article in DGJ only added to my interest. The original owner died several years ago, but his widow is still alive, and I will check with her on the paperwork, if any. He also had a great fox 26" 12 gauge. I will post anything I find and maybe do a better job on the pictures, but in the meantime I will probably try to get the excessive varnish off the stock. I will also take in quail hunting and get some birds (it did a good job during dove season).