Fox Sterlingworth 20 ga. Date

[crim]

I just recieved a 20 ga. Sterlingworth made in Philadelphia with serial no. 253678. Can you guys please help me out with the age of this gun? Thank you for your help.

[bamboozler]

It looks like 1915, although I've been told that a gun could linger on the shelf for a few years before shipping out the door.
http://doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm

[crim]

Thank you for the help. Crim

[bamboozler]

You're welcome crim, and welcome to the forum!

Now that you're the proud owner of a genuine A.H. Fox gun why not consider joining and becoming a member of the A.H. Fox Collectors Association? There are many benefits to becoming a member of the AHFCA, newletters that contain many interesting articles on the Fox gun, history, etc. Another benefit I and others whom are members enjoy immensely is access to the exclusive AHFCA forum--where one can get the inside scoop on all things Fox.
http://www.foxcollectors.com/to_join.htm

[crim]

I will do that. One question. Am I crazy for wanting to shoot this gun? I took it to a gunsmith to have cleaned and "checked out". I dont want it to just sit in the safe as an antique.

[bamboozler]

Crazy? Just the opposite...you'll look like a genius to shoot it (providing it is a sound gun), as that is what they were built for. I shoot my 1913 20-ga. Sterlingworth Ejector literally thousands of times each year--I figure I'd be a idiot not to! http://www.foxcollectors.com/My%20Forum ... f=9&t=1057

[Silvers]

Over the past week I've fired almost 400 shells through 2 vintage Foxes and had a ball doing it. Both are 12 gauge pre-20's guns. At one time my shooting buds raised their eyebrows when I showed up with a SxS; now when we meet up for breakfast they ask: what's in the car today? Two of them are getting Foxes done up for sporting right now. Once your gun is checked out for safety and function it certainly can be shot as much as you like, but keep in mind your 20 gauge was designed for 2-1/2" shells that are loaded to < the current industry max pressure. If it were my SW I'd be shooting RST 2-1/2" shells for hunting or clays. Silvers

http://www.rstshells.com/

[crim]

Thanks for the help guys. Thats a great looking gun Bamboozler...If you can't tell I'm new to this sxs stuff. I've shot my trusty Reminton 11-87 for a long time. This Fox was given to me by my uncle on Christmas. It feels tight and looks ok except for a small crack in the forend. The gunsmith said he would repair that. It choked at .009 and .017. Is that imp and mod? It feels less than 6lbs but havent weighed it yet. Should I have the chambers opened to 2 3/4 or leave at 2 1/2? I saw a box of 2 1/2 at $26.00 Thats steep. Thanks again ..Crim

[Silvers]

Crim, you'll get different opinions on this. Here's my take. If your 20 gauge SW is pretty much original, even with heavy hunting wear, I'd leave the chambers short and shoot the lower pressure RST's. They're about 10.50 per box if you buy a flat at a time. RST will mix shot sizes in the same flat and ships by UPS, etc. RST maintains a presence at many of the larger SxS shoots and their shells may be bought on site without incurring the shipping charge. For 20 gauge your choke constrictions are something like IC+ and Mod respectively but as always the proof is in the pudding on the patterning paper, especially with modern shotcup type loads which will pattern differently than bare shot.

This subject has been hashed over and over, and the bottom line FOR ME is: do I want to shoot what the gun was designed for, or stress it every time I shoot a modern high pressure shell? This is a personal opinion only and I stick with it despite reading many recountings such as how Grandpa shot whatever the corner hardware store had in stock, and his 20 gauge early Fox is still tight as a tick. Silvers

[bamboozler]

No one would argue the point Silver's makes regarding shooting low pressure 2 1/2" RST shells in old guns with 2 1/2" chambers, it obviously works for him and others, but unfortunately would not work FOR ME. You see, I like to shoot my Sterlingworth, with 2 1/2" shells costing $26/box or at even $10.50 a box when purchased in flats--plus the shipping, would prohibit me from shooting the gun in the amount of volume that I'm presently shooting. I simply couldn't afford it...my gun and I would be sitting home rather than out at the range or in the field. Instead, I sent my gun to a professional gunsmith who measured my barrels' wall thickness and determined that the chambers could safely be lengthened to accomodate 2 3/4" shells, so I had my gun's chambers lengthened. I also reload approximately 98% of all the shells I shoot, by doing so I can reload shells for ~$3.00/box and reloading allows me to choose published recipes that yield relatively low pressure--just what the old gun was designed for.