Fox Collectors

Hi everyone, new here. I recently inherited my great-great-grandfather's 12 ga. Sterlingworth. This gun has been sitting unused for at least 50 years but looks pretty good. There is slight rust. I've got some emails out to local gunsmiths but I don't think any of them work on Sterlingworths, and I don't want a full restore right now anyway.

Is it possible to tell the condition from the pics? From the serial # it looks like a 1910. I've already got the wheels in motion to get some RST shells for it. Basically I'm hoping a good cleaning will have this beauty back in action. These pics are of the uncleaned, untouched gun. Other than the shells, is there anything I should know before trying to fire it? Thanks any help.

https://imgur.com/a/ed4hV

very nice Sterlingworth pin gun

scrub the bores - a bronze brush and solvent and elbow grease -

if it is stubborn dirt - part of a frontier pad on the shaft of a rod chucked into a drill

http://big45metalcleaner.com

don't let just any "gunsmith" look at it

if you let us know where you are - someone might be able to recommend some one to inspect it

Thanks guys, I have some cleaning supplies arriving today. I am planning on using the same cleaners on the outside as for the bore if that's okay?

I'm in upstate NY, most of the local guys seem to deal with Ithaca guns but any info would be great. I forget exactly at the moment but the serial # is 535xx.

I would also suggest that you become a Fox Collector member. You get a neat newsletter plus access to the the other forums here which also includes the past newsletters. Lots of interesting reading about these guns.

A Fox in this condition should not be refinished or restored. This gun seems to be in very good original condition.

eightbore wrote:A Fox in this condition should not be refinished or restored. This gun seems to be in very good original condition.

That's what I was hoping to hear... a good cleaning and it sounds like I'm good to go. I'll also look into becoming a member and am going to send for the factory letter as well. Other than a few pieces of furniture this is the oldest family heirloom I know of so I hope to give it new life. Thanks fellas.

Looks like a pretty nice example of a The Sterlingworth Co. gun from 1910. By 1911 the Sterlingworth was included in the A.H. Fox Gun Co. catalogues. A little gentle cleaning and it should be great.

If you don't mind, I'd like to have the serial number and barrel length so I can include this gun in my table of observed specimens. Also, a picture of the inside of the forearm and the forearm loop on the barrels.

If you don't feel comfortable posting the information in the open, you could email it to AHFCA@comcast.net

Dave

It's a 30" barrel. Unmodified. I can get you serial # and some more pics later. Thanks for the interest!

Agreed, put restoration out of your mind. Get several cleaning patches down those barrels soaked with Hoppes #9...then scrub with a bronze brush and wipe out with more patches. Then take a long, hard look. Are the barrels pitted or is it a light frosting/freckling like what's on the exterior surface? If you see any deep pitting it should be inspected by a competent double gun smith before you fire it.

From your pictures the gun looks to be in decent shape and from that top lever position it certainly appears to have a lot of life left in her. Triggers however do look a bit more frosted than the barrels. Was she stored in a soft, zippered case by any chance?

Wonderful family heirloom! Do you have any hunting pics of your G-G Grand Dad with the gun?

Welcome to the forum. Please keep us posted on your progress and we hope that you'll join-up with us ASAP. Good luck!

The Sterlingworths from that period are of unbelievable quality. I have a beautiful example that is very close to your gun. Please don't have it restored it is a very nice example. Thanks for posting. Craig

Agree with everyone in NOT restoring this wonderful gun !

Any chance of a photo of the buttplate?

Perly88

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

I'll get a few more pics up later today or tomorrow. Cleaned it up last night and it looks awesome. Just gave it a once over, will have to go back and do the larger rust spots but overall it cleaned up very nicely. The barrels look gorgeous inside, nice and shiny. The chambers are a little rough and I need to take a look with a good light.

Unfortunately I don't have any old pics of it in use, I have emailed my uncle who may know more details. I don't know about the first half of its life but for the last 50-ish years it has been stored in regular home conditions, not in a case.

Hi all, here's a few requested pics. Is there any significance to the butt plate or underside of the forend? Or just a way to see the particulars of each gun? My memory of the serial number was off a bit, it's number 53242.

The only thing that concerns me is the left barrel chamber (right side of chamber pic, didn't notice it was upside down so it's not too visible) has a score around it about 1 1/2 inches in. You can see it in the pic but not too well. It's not that deep but has me thinking of having someone look at it. I have no problems firing the right chamber as is.

There is definitely some more cleaning to be done. There is maybe 5-8% case hardening left, should I be careful around those parts? How does that disappear, through wear? I wouldn't want to scrub the rest off. I'm a little nervous to take a wire brush to it but I've received a few good tips from members so thanks for that. Shells will be here Monday. Really looking forward to using this!

So... I received my factory letter today from Mr. Callahan. I'm a bit shocked to tell the truth- this is a 16 gauge! Full and full. Standard grade, shipped Oct. 1910. I hadn't even considered the possibility and I've never seen one in person. Everything else appears to be original and unaltered.

Is this good, bad, neither? I went ahead and bought several boxes of 12 gauge shells from RST and they fit the chambers just fine. Looks like I may be placing another order. I already have an appointment to see the local Ithaca expert to take a look at the chambers.

But is that a possible sign the chambers were enlarged, or are they close enough that 12 ga. shells would fit a 16 ga. gun? Pretty confused here- thanks for any thoughts.