I have this old gun... Fox Sterlingworth double-shotgun

I just tried to measure the chamber length...

I've tried to measure the chamber length, but there's not a sharp ridge to make a definite measurement on... As near as I can guess (from sticking a blunt pencil up to the edge of the visible 'shadow ring' from the breech is about 2-13/16"; so, it may have a 2-9/16" chamber?

I readily admit my relative ignorance about shotgunning, and shotguns in general; but, I do know that chamber lengths have been incrementally increasing over the last century, from 2-1/2" and 2-9/16" to 2-3/4", 3" and 3-1/2"... and that there are significant performance differences between guns that were engineered for paper&fibre-wad cartridges vs. plastic crimped cartridges of the same length... [essentially just enough to know that I don't know much] :confused:
 
Your Sterlingworth would be rated for 2 3/4" shells. It was not uncommon, at that time, to set the chambers at 2 5/8" even though it was built to fire 2 3/4" shells as they felt it would pattern better. Some of the Parker Bros. shotguns were like this. If your in doubt, use candle wax and pour in a cast and measure it.

Comparative pricing . . . http://www.gunsinternational.com/Fox-Shotguns.cfm?cat_id=620
 
Problem is with that comparative pricing it is down in the US plus most of those guns have been for sale for some time. If they haven't sold at the prices being asked, they are obviously priced too high. It is the selling price that one needs to go by. Just like model 12's you can't give them away here but in the Southern US they bring quite a price.
 
gunsaholic said:
Yes, that may be a great trade, but I have seen Browning superposeds on here for $800.00. What shape is it in etc, etc.
If you are partial to over/unders, then this should be a good trade for you. The Browning is a great gun.
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It's an early 12ga... same barrel and chamber lengths... full & modified fixed chokes... manufactured around the latter part of 1950 (s/n sub-21000). I am rather partial to the O/U design ever since I broke 20 consecutive pairs of birds +1 with a Browning 20ga 20-odd years ago from the deck of a cruise-ship (I'd never shot an O/U before that time)---my Dad said he'd keep paying until I missed one; and, I think he made a sizeable profit from side-bets with the peanut-gallery as I did it ;-)
 
The most desirable Sterlingworth were the Parker Pin type of which I owned one. It was a 30 inch in 3 inch chambering. It was a bit short for me but I still managed a top ten finish at the World SxS at Sandanona. I managed to get $1200US for it. Yours, is not a desirable Parker Pin but a Philedelphia built gun. It has some rust issues. Unfortunately in Canada, prices for firearms are so MUCH lower! We do not seem to see the value of priceless old firearms.

Regards,
Henry ;)
 
Agreed--you can get some pretty nice old doubles here for a lot less than in the US or Europe. At least for now until people realize the quality, history and uniqueness of these older guns.
 
It is a curiously cool market up here...

hnachaj said:
The most desirable Sterlingworth were the Parker Pin type of which I owned one. It was a 30 inch in 3 inch chambering. It was a bit short for me but I still managed a top ten finish at the World SxS at Sandanona. I managed to get $1200US for it. Yours, is not a desirable Parker Pin but a Philedelphia built gun. It has some rust issues. Unfortunately in Canada, prices for firearms are so MUCH lower! We do not seem to see the value of priceless old firearms.

Regards,
Henry ;)
Click to expand...

It cuts both ways... Your sale might have been considered 'an irresistable deal' south of the border, as this gun of mine might be percieved as 'priced to sell' in the same market. OTOH, H&K P7 pistols are cheap and plentiful up here, and command almost twice as much in the USA. I can't complain too much; but, I've also stated clearly in my listing that I will entertain lower cash-offers and trades; but, the impulse to 'strike a bargain' is seemingly depressed around here as well. :-/ Bargaining isn't insulting, it's a game that few people know how to play well anymore... :(
 
I have a similar model, however mine has ejectors and has a nickle plated receiver, unfortunately someone removed the firing pins. So on that note. Does anyone know how I would come about finding new ones and who in the eastern Ontario region could fits them?
 
ogame said:
I have a similar model, however mine has ejectors and has a nickle plated receiver, unfortunately someone removed the firing pins. So on that note. Does anyone know how I would come about finding new ones and who in the eastern Ontario region could fits them?
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I have some bad news for you friend, fox firing pins are not removable!

They are integral to the hammer, a gifted smith could drill the hammer and mig in a new tip and profile it to fit the receiver pin-hole, but I suspect this would cost as much as the gun is worth.

Here is a photo of a Fox hammer.

AHFoxhammer.jpg
 
Crap! that's not at all what I wanted to here.. this gun is in great shape, and super tight. Sounds to me like someone must have ground off the pin portion of the hammer. That one and another one like it will be impossible to find I assume? I guess I got beat. The wife is not going to be happy. I am already into this thing for a chunk of cash, I guess I deserve it, I never should have bought a gun from a auction.
 
Don't know for sure but you might get a new hammer from Galazan seeing as they make Fox guns. I know I have bought a set of screws for a Fox from them.
 
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