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Fox made shotgun

oracleoracle Member Posts: 37 ✭✭
edited November 2001 in Ask the Experts
Picked up a dbl. shotgun made by Fox Sterlingworth. No guage markings on barrel. The phrase "compressed steel" is stamped into one of the barrels. Patent dates on the receiver indicate its from 1904. Any ideas on what I have. It cleaned up real nice w/only minimal effort. Thanks
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Comments

  • laxcoachlaxcoach Member Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oracle,you may have a collectable firearm, but in order to determine HOW collectable, we need a lot more info, such as guage, barrel length, serial #, condition of bores, wood,and bluing,any stamps on the water table and frame, city of manufacture(on top of barrel), # of beads on rib, etc, etc. In short, tell us everything you can about the gun, and someone can give you an approximate value.
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  • oracleoracle Member Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ok. Thanks. I will have to check the gun for the info. I can tell you this, I can't find any indication of guage anywhere. It appears to be smaller than a 20. Has engraving, nothing elaborate, dbl triggers, ejectors, a thumb safety on top of the receiver, 28 inch barrels. a pistol grip stock, LOP ?. Im at work its at home. Nice patina on rec'vr, Pretty wood but has scratches and a few small dings. One bead on rib. Real tight, smooth action. Fit indicates a higher degree of workmanship. I'm only a casual shotgun hunter, being more familiar w/pistols, but I can tell this is not a mass produced gun. Thanks for helping. I will have to give the piece a better look.
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  • oracleoracle Member Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    P.S. Made in Phila. Six digit ser # begins w/ 209---. Has crescent shaped stamping on top of one barrel. Ser # is ornately engraved on the bottom of the trigger guard. Am going to look for a local smith to determine if I can safely shoot modern shells. Thanks again
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  • laxcoachlaxcoach Member Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oracle, from your info it appears to be a 20 ga. in one of the higher grades (A through F), of which 3974 were manufactured between 1910-1942. However, there is a discrepancy that bothers me--you mentioned that it is a Fox STERLINGWORTH, but the s/n indicates that it should be an A.H. Fox. Suggest you carefully examine barrels and foreend iron to make sure that all numbers correspond, and find the book "A.H. Fox-The Finest Shotguns in the World"(I think). This book goes into great detail in script and pictures. If the numbers don't correspond, you have a "pieced-together" gun. Sterlingworth guns have "Sterlingworth" engraved on the receiver, and A.H. Fox guns have "A.H. Fox" on the receiver.
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  • oracleoracle Member Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks. This is definitely a Sterlingworth. Name is engraved on both sides of receiver. Going to a gunsmith to see if its Ok to fire. Unless it has some potential value. Thanks for the info.
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  • laxcoachlaxcoach Member Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It has value, but as I mentioned earlier, it's difficult to tell how much without having it in hand. By chance, the engraving on the side doesn't say "The Sterlingworth", does it? While at the gunsmith, have him check bore length, i.e. 2-9/16" vs 2-3/4". Hope I haven't thoroughly frustrated you!!
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  • oracleoracle Member Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Quite the contrary, laxcoach. Since you have taken the time to respond I'll fill you in on the details of my lucky find after I see the smith. Thanks
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