In House Shipping:
Make: A.H. FOX
Model: Sterlingworth
Serial Number: 82449
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1918 (
https://doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 5/8” Shells
Action Type: Top-Break Side by Side with Extractor
Barrel Length: The barrels appear to have been cut to 28”.
Choke: Left: Cylinder Bore, Right: Cylinder Bore, both fixed. The barrels are not threaded for chokes, but appear to have been opened up to their current (lack of) constriction.
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is slightly dished and serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, capped pistol grip., straight comb and black rubber Pachmayr buttpad. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack in the right-front of the wrist. There are a few small losses on the top edges of the forend. The checkering is generally well defined. The LOP measures 13" and 13 1/4"" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the pad, 13 1/2" and 12 3/4" to the back of the wood. The pad has light wear and remains fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match.
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bores. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate about 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels have fairly even scattered wear. The receiver has areas that have muted or worn to white with other areas showing strong finish. Some worn areas are going to a light patina or have light surface oxidation. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Fox Gun Company was founded in 1898 and produced shotguns of varying grades of fanciness with levels of engraving, finishes, barrel materials, etc., but all with uniform quality. The Sterlingworth was the model which brought that quality to the masses, with simple border engraving being the only adornment and all other effort being put simply into the quality of manufacture.
This example was produced in 1918. The gun is in Good-plus condition, showing honest wear consistent with its age. It is a 12 gauge with its barrels appearing to have been cut to their current length of 28" and opened up to Cylinder Bore. The Fox Sterlingworth is a classic American double from the heyday of American doubles, perfect for any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!