AH Fox/Sterlingworth SXS Evaluation..info?

[smally21]

Good day and hello..member for several years..lurking, just got back into shooting after a long break and have come into a few shotguns, and as such my first posting..hope it's in a correct place.

I have a Sterlingworth SXS..serial # 69188. Has the 30" standard barrel, no history came with, and I have little knowledge of older firearms or sporting guns in general. Full pistol grip..

A few pics follow...perhaps any Fox collectors could give me an idea of it's dates..condition..value? Thanks in advance!

 

[jsdboy]

after I had my first sterlingworth land in my lap i got in contact with these folk, and became a member of the forum, although i have not officially joined yet:

http://www.foxcollectors.com/ah_fox/content/

start a thread after you have joined and tell your story with some pictures like these ones - but take a picture of the serial # and also the barrel stamping.
Have you noticed that there is no SN info on the internet like with most other guns?? well, these boys in PA seem to have them all. For example - my first Sterlingworth is a "mix and match" gun with two differing serial numbers for the barrels and the receiver. these guys gave me the year of production for both! receiver was 1923 and the barrels were made in 1913. And then they really wanted to see some photo's.............
I now have a second Fox and i believe i will join as they say that there are 85% of the letters of production for each gun still remaining in some fella's archives, so I think one pays about $30.00 and a search is done and the original papers are copied and sent along.

If the serial number on the hardware of the forearm matches the rest(and it should be stamped into the wood as well), then I would say that you have an unusual and rare Sterlingworth, as they were not furnished with a beaver tail forearm unless by special request. that is a beautiful shotgun that you have there, but I am terribly biased.

Which brings me to value - you will find that to be all over the board. Also, using the dealer sites in the US do not help as the Fox's are not as in demand or appreciated as much here as they are south of the 49th.

Don't be afraid to use it and enjoy!!!

jsd

 

[Mike Webb]

Nice gun. I had a Sterlingworth long ago. Assuming yours is a 12 gauge. Mine was marked Krupp fluid steel, I think on the barrels so before 1914 when WW1 got in the way of U.S.-German trade. Your beavertail is unusual, were it not for that I would say value $500 to $650 in Canada much higher south of the border. But the forend must have been special ordered as I think the Sterlingworth was an economy grade (though good quality) Fox. So I really would be guessing at value. Hang onto it til you find out.

 

[smally21]

Thank you both for your replies..some more info..all numbers match, including the forearm. Barrels marked Sterlingworth Fluid Compressed Steel and the other MADE BY AH FOX GUN CO. PHILA PA USA.

As an ungraded gun,that serial puts it in a block from 1913-1914, based on doublegunshop.com list..if it is ungraded. Or, it is possible I am way off.

 

[Mike Webb]

Like jsdboy says, your best bet is the Fox forum. Most of the guys on there have forgotten more than we will ever know about Fox shotguns. They were generally regarded as No.3 in U.S. made shotguns. The first two being Parker and L.C. Smith.

 

[canvasback]

Your dating of the gun is accurate I believe in the range of 1913 to 1914. It's the beavertail that stands out. If the forend is original it is unlikely a special order. Sterlingworths were available in different configurations and I believe you have a "Trap" model. That said, I agree it is relatively rare. Your gun was also produced at a particularly good time for quality of production, as that varied over the years. Not sure if a Sterlingworth can be lettered.

I have two A grades and two Sterlingworths. Great guns. US sites will not help much for accurate pricing. Typically Canadian prices are lower for all old SxS's, which is great when you are buying but not so good selling. I try not to sell so I don't care. LOL

For a better determination of approx value, we need more information. Specifically, are the finishes (stock, blueing, etc) original? chambers lengthened? condition of bores? Have they been polished? Are there pits? etc. From your pics, which are not good enough for quality assessment (no offense intended just being straight) the gun looks to be pretty good. The biggest problem you will have for valuation, if it is original, is that Canada doesn't have anything close to the collector market for "original" that the US does.