Fox Sterlingworth SxS 12GA

Wolfgang7

Wolfgang7

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Hey all. I recently aquired an old Fox Sterlingworth 12GA Side by Side. It's in really good shape. Just curious if anybody is familiar with these or has had any experience with them. This one i believe is from around 1916 or there abouts. Anyway i'd love to hear any experiences, tips, advice on this old shotgun. I'm looking forward to shooting it and learning more about it. Thanks :)
 
I saw one at Milarm awhile back....seemed like a real nice gem and in really good condition. Action was smooth and tight. Not too sure on the history of these girls though...:) Good luck with your search! :D
 
Wolfgang7 said:
Hey all. I recently aquired an old Fox Sterlingworth 12GA Side by Side. It's in really good shape. Just curious if anybody is familiar with these or has had any experience with them. This one i believe is from around 1916 or there abouts. Anyway i'd love to hear any experiences, tips, advice on this old shotgun. I'm looking forward to shooting it and learning more about it. Thanks :)
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I have three Foxes, including two 12 gauges that were made close to the same time as yours.

First, on a gun this old you you have it inspected by a competent gunsmith for issues regarding safety. Barrel wall thickness etc.

Second, don't use steel or other hard shot. Lead, bizmuth or kent tungsten.

Other's will be along to add but you have a great gun from a great gun company.
 
canvasback said:
I have three Foxes, including two 12 gauges that were made close to the same time as yours.

First, on a gun this old you you have it inspected by a competent gunsmith for issues regarding safety. Barrel wall thickness etc.

Second, don't use steel or other hard shot. Lead, bizmuth or kent tungsten.

Other's will be along to add but you have a great gun from a great gun company.
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Thanks for the input. Do your 12 gauges similar age to mine use 2 3/4" shells??
 
canvasback said:
IFirst, on a gun this old you you have it inspected by a competent gunsmith for issues regarding safety. Barrel wall thickness etc.

Second, don't use steel or other hard shot. Lead, bizmuth or kent tungsten.

Other's will be along to add but you have a great gun from a great gun company.
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X2 what Canvasback says.
They were originally brought out as an affordable alternative to the A.H. Fox line and have the same action,etc. just not the same quality of finish, wood, etc. but still ahead of what you would get for a comparable amount of $$$ today.

Also have a knowledgeable gunsmith check the chamber size. The earlier guns have 2 5/8" chambers (not 2 3/4) and will eventually cause issues if you use 2 3/4 " shells (increases pressures). I load shells for mine by trimming 2 3/4" cases down but there are now several sources in Canada for alternatives (ie. 2 1/2" shells).
 
Wolfgang7 said:
Thanks for the input. Do your 12 gauges similar age to mine use 2 3/4" shells??
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Yup, in fact I think they were chambered 2 5/8 but I shoot 2 2/4. I never shoot anything more than 1 1/4 oz loads and really prefer 1 1/8 oz or 1 oz loads.

One of mine is choked full and full and the other is full and modified. With current shell technology, these things shoot very tight. Keep that in mind.
 
Okay great thanks guys. Yeah i am hoping to be able to just buy the cases of 2 3/4" lead target loads for cheaper when shooting this thing.

Ruger - Where in Canada can you find 2 1/2" shells??
 
Wolfgang7 said:
Okay great thanks guys. Yeah i am hoping to be able to just buy the cases of 2 3/4" lead target loads for cheaper when shooting this thing.

Ruger - Where in Canada can you find 2 1/2" shells??
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Several years ago, I found 12 ga, 2 1/2" black powder shells at Pro Line Shooters in Calgary.

3 years ago, Kent Cartridge brought the Gamebore line in from the UK. The shipment landed at P&D Enterprises in Edmonton and (presumably) was distributed from there.
 
Wolfgang7 said:
Okay great thanks guys. Yeah i am hoping to be able to just buy the cases of 2 3/4" lead target loads for cheaper when shooting this thing.

Ruger - Where in Canada can you find 2 1/2" shells??
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If you have a nice, tight actioned gun and want to keep it that way, even 2 3/4 target loads will eventually cause problems with a 2 5/8" gun. What you are looking for are modern powder loads in 2 1/2" shells sometimes called English Loads or "traditional loads". Ellwood Epps have the Gamebore brand listed on their website.

It is really easy to load them on a standard loading press as well. I just made a shell insert from dowelling that was the required length and trimmed the excess off with a box knife, then ran them through my reloader without even having to adjust anything.
 
Ruger No.1 said:
If you have a nice, tight actioned gun and want to keep it that way, even 2 3/4 target loads will eventually cause problems with a 2 5/8" gun. What you are looking for are modern powder loads in 2 1/2" shells sometimes called English Loads or "traditional loads". Ellwood Epps have the Gamebore brand listed on their website.

It is really easy to load them on a standard loading press as well. I just made a shell insert from dowelling that was the required length and trimmed the excess off with a box knife, then ran them through my reloader without even having to adjust anything.
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Alright thanks. So there's a pretty good chance i'll be looking at a 2 5/8" chamber? i will get it measured either way just to be sure. I actually have an old Winchester 1897 with a 2 1/2" chamber so either way i may be in the market to pick up some 2 1/2".
 
Wolfgang7 said:
Alright thanks. So there's a pretty good chance i'll be looking at a 2 5/8" chamber? i will get it measured either way just to be sure. I actually have an old Winchester 1897 with a 2 1/2" chamber so either way i may be in the market to pick up some 2 1/2".
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Okay, now I'm just being anal ('cause the difference is irrelevant) but, just for your edification, Winchester 1897 pump guns were chambered in 2 9/16ths. That is, until the model number was shortened to simply "Model 97", at which point they were chambered in 2 3/4".

I shot 2 3/4" in my first 1897 for decades before somebody clued me in. The 1897 is so over designed that the pressures generated by using 2 3/4" shells doesn't seem to hurt them - not even in the long run. But, I'd be naive to think it doesn't loosen the action more quickly (luckily there's adjustment for that).

More importantly though, your patterns improve by using the correct shells (less interference in the forcing cone and less deformed pellets) and the recoil is noticeably softer.
 
straightshooter said:
Okay, now I'm just being anal ('cause the difference is irrelevant) but, just for your edification, Winchester 1897 pump guns were chambered in 2 9/16ths. That is, until the model number was shortened to simply "Model 97", at which point they were chambered in 2 3/4".

I shot 2 3/4" in my first 1897 for decades before somebody clued me in. The 1897 is so over designed that the pressures generated by using 2 3/4" shells doesn't seem to hurt them - not even in the long run. But, I'd be naive to think it doesn't loosen the action more quickly (luckily there's adjustment for that).

More importantly though, your patterns improve by using the correct shells (less interference in the forcing cone and less deformed pellets) and the recoil is noticeably softer.
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Yeah i haven't shot the 1897 in years, but i do remember the shells not opening properly (the spent case the end didn't open 100%), they were 2 3/4" and i'm assuming they were opening into the forcing cone. My 1897 is from 1906, and yes probably from 2 3/4" shells the action is loose!

I have heard many different opinions on the 1897 as far as chamber goes. I have heard 2 1/2", 2 5/8", 2 7/8"(?), 2 3/4" and now 2 9/16"!! I have also heard things like they are 2 3/4" but the paper cartridges back then were different than the plastic one today so the new ones don't fit the same etc etc. Perhaps it's best to just take the 1897 and my Fox in to a gunsmith to get measured up!!

I guess if i'd get a gun that was post 1920 for a change i wouldn't have to worry about all this!! :p

Thanks for the input guys!
 
I had a Fox with the Parker pins. It was a 30 inch model that was a little short but I did finish 10th at the World SxS with it. But it did beat me so I sold it in the US for a substantial profit over Canadian prices and at that time 30% premium over Canadian dollars!

Regards,
Henry;)
 
Although i plan on getting my Fox shotgun chamber measured anyway, is it possible to find out more information on it using the serial number?? i mean other than establishing the year that is......
 
Fox's were made from 1903 to 1930 and then Savage Arms took over and bought them out.

Your gun in VG shape is worth $965 American according to the book I just saw at Barnes & Noble booksellers in the US.

Hope this helps in your journey!
 
Cammy7s said:
Fox's were made from 1903 to 1930 and then Savage Arms took over and bought them out.

Your gun in VG shape is worth $965 American according to the book I just saw at Barnes & Noble booksellers in the US.

Hope this helps in your journey!
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Thanks good to know! so i had the Fox measured up and its 2 3/4"! i'm glad now i can buy the cheap target loads by the case!
 
I bought some 2-1/2" gamebore fibre wad from Epps a couple of years ago. They pattern nicer in my old WW Greener than modern 2-3/4" with plastic wads.

The gun does have a 2-3/4" chamber but the forcing cones on these old guns were designed for fibre wads
 
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