Fox Collectors

Well about 5 years ago I got back into upland hunting in central Montana . After a year I went hunting a new shotgun as well. I grew up on a 16 gauge Remington model 31, and an skb 200e Ithaca. Somehow I morphed the two and was dead set on a 16 gauge side by side. It took some time and research but thanks in huge part to this forum I now have a fox 16 gauge sterlingworth… actually 2 of them, the information and knowledge I gathered here by reading posts answered so many questions and concerns was unbelievably helpful. As you can imagine the middle of Montana is not the easiest place to find examples or information on vintage American side by sides. Thank this group for your help and for so much information. I look forward to more fox shotguns in the future.
Cory P

Nice post Cory, I hope you’re enjoying your 16 ga. Sterly. I own one with 30” barrels and it’s a wonderful gun to carry. If you get a chance, please post a few pictures of your gun with harvested game. The mountains of Montana make a beautiful backdrop for photos. Happy hunting, you made a great choice.

I did the 32 hour drive from Va twice circa 2000 to chase Pheasants and Sharpies and Huns. Got into more Pheasants then anything else. That was up in the Glasgow area. Outfitter was Jack Billingsly who is probably no longer with us. Stayed at the Cottonwood hotel. Limits on Pheasants were no problem. They were everywhere. Back in those days I was carrying a Merkel 16 gauge sxs. Not a Fox, but she was overbuilt and I could shoot 1 1/4 oz Federal Premiums out of her. She was a pheasant killer for sure. Great area. However at almost 70, 32 hour drives are no longer on my bucket list.

Enjoy your 16 gauge Sterly. Like Jeff I have one also and mine is 30".

This is from last year. Season opens in a few weeks and I’ll get some pictures. That’s my favorite sw. It has a straight grip stock and 28” barrels choked m/f.

Wonderful picture from "The Big Sky Country." Is that a righteous Fox Sterlingworth Skeet & Upland Game Gun?

I’m absolutely not an expert. But I believe so. SN is
372639

Beautiful rooster.

Nice Sterly. 16 gauge too! My favorite.

That is right in the serial number range of most of the 16-gauge, 28-inch barrel, Fox-Sterlingworth Skeet & Upland Game Guns I've recorded -- 3725xx - 3726xx. From the 1937 A.H. Fox catalog --
While the Fox-Sterlingworth Skeet & Upland Game Gun was cataloged with the right barrel bored what Savage called skeet cylinder (similar to Winchester's WS-1 or Remington's SKEET boring) and the left barrel quarter choke (about .010"), I've recorded several including my own with tighter chokes. Thanks for sharing info on your gun.

You could get a letter on it from Cody -- https://centerofthewest.org/explore/fir ... ds/savage/

Thanks so much Researcher! I will absolutely get that done.

Cory,
Thanks for sharing your experience and more importantly posting pics of your cool 16 gauge Sterly. That is a very nice example!! Definitely post some pics of the upcoming season.

Cory, very nice post and appreciate your kind words and support. Our mission is stated in the forum header and it's gratifying to hear we are accomplishing it. Craig

There is just something that is "right" about a 30" Fox in 16 gauge. I can't put a finger on it exactly, but with one ounce loads they perform as if they were made for each other. Mine is only a lowly AE grade but I have done some of the best wingshooting, on doves, with it that I ever have in my entire life. Everything about it . . . . it's a Fox, it's 30", it's choked tightly, and the 1 oz. loads, seem to be sheer perfection.