Recently the Sterlingworth name surfaces in similar discussions.
Educate me Canvasback, is this a British shotgun or were these made in America in the earlier part of the 20th century?
I need a history lesson.
Well I'll try to keep it short but here goes. The A.H. Fox Company of Philadelphia started out making guns around 1905. Like most American gun companies, the fundamental design was the same at each price point, but the level of fit and finish, quality of wood and engraving would rise as the grades got higher. For example in 1912 Sterlingworth would sell for $35, a Fox A grade would sell for $50 while a F grade would be $515.
By 1910 Fox decided they needed a cheaper, opening price point gun, which they named "The Sterlingworth". Essentially the same gun as their graded guns, but with a simpler forend and even less embellishment than their A grade guns.
Around the same time, Fox also started selling for the first time sub gauge versions of their guns, in 16 and 20. It is the sub gauge Fox guns that many very knowledgeable collectors consider to be the finest gun made in America. The Fox is the only American design the London gun trade consider to be worthy of consideration as competition. Simple and very strong action in a great handling package.
So when you buy a Sterlingworth 16 or 20, you are buying the best gun designed in American. (I know this is subjective). One indicator of this is that in the U.S., when someone wants to drop $5000 to $15000 doing what's called an "upgrade" that typically includes a restock ($2500 min plus the walnut blank that would have been between $700 and $2500) and custom engraving ($5000 plus) they always, always start with a Fox Sterlingworth 16 or 20.
A Sterlingworth in 12 gauge in average, decent condition in Canada should run $500-$700. A Sterlingworth in 16 in similar condition will be double that and then some. I would have no qualms paying up to $2500 for one in the right condition because when compared to any other SxS for comparable money (in comparable condition) the Fox gun comes out ahead.
Typical configurations are extractor guns with 26" or 28" barrels. Ejectors are very rare as are barrel lengths other than what I noted.
One thing to note about Fox guns.....in 1928 the company was sold to Savage Guns and the factory moved from Philadelphia to Utica, NY where Savage was based. It is the common wisdom that Utica guns suffer from cost cutting measures and so are not as well put together as Philly guns. This will usually be reflected in price and demand for an individual gun. Ansley Fox himself left the Company in 1911 and so IMHO, the era of highest quality was at the start, when Ansley ran the place, followed by the rest of the time in Philly and then the Utica era. But having said that, they are all very good guns. I have two Ansley era 12 gauge A grade guns, a late Philly 16 gauge Sterly and a 16 gauge Utica Sterly. The Utica gun should be taking a turkey tomorrow.
Just embarking on complete restorations of both 16 gauge guns. Got one set of barrels back March 31 from being reblued, the other set will get done in a month or two. Currently I'm on the prowl for just the right pair of walnut blanks to use when I restock both guns which hopefully will happen next winter.
Happy to answer any other questions that occur to you.
