A.H. Fox SterlingWorth 20GA 28” Side By Side Double Barrel Shotgun 1919 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,725.00
LSB#: LSB250601SP118
Make: A.H. Fox
Model: Sterlingworth
Serial Number: 251247
Year of Manufacture: 1919 C&R
Gauge: 20
Action Type: Break Action, Double Barrel, SxS Shotgun, Double-Trigger System
Markings: Both sides of the receiver are marked with “STERLINGWORTH”. The left barrel is marked with “MADE BY A.H.FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA.U.S.A” and the right barrel is marked “STERLINGWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL”. The lower tang is marked “251247”.
Barrel Length: 28”
Choke: Fixed. Right: Improved Modified. Left: Full.
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a forward brass bead sight and a mid-barrel silver colored sight on the wavy serrated rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks two piece hand checkered wood with straight comb, corrugated buttplate, and checkered splinter forend. The LOP measures 14” and 13” from the front of the triggers respectively to the rear back of the buttplate. The stocks rate an Excellent overall condition. There are a few compression marks throughout but the stocks remain clean. The checkering, though no longer sharp, is still well defined and attractive. The fit-to-frame is tight.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Colored
Finish Originality: Refinished.
Bore Condition: The bores are very bright. There is streaky plastic-fouling, but no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate about 9/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal refinish. There is some operational wear — just a few scratches really, at about mid barrel and a tiny spot of corrosion in the hard-to-clean areas of the rib. The right barrel has a plum hue. The case hardened receiver is still beautiful. The screw heads are lightly tool marked but are still in excellent shape. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates an Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions as intended. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Ansley H. Fox manufactured shotguns in Philadelphia from 1905 to the early 1930s. He called his products “the finest guns in the world.”
The Sterlingworth was a less-ornate Fox shotgun – but was still based on the same patents as the very fancy guns Mr. Fox made. This is a classic American firearm, renowned for its craftsmanship and reliability. The A.H. Fox Sterlingworth shotguns are known for their robust boxlock actions, which are generally simpler and more compact than sidelock designs, contributing to the gun’s overall reliability and ease of maintenance.
The Sterlingworth is particularly notable for its balanced combination of durability and elegance. These shotguns typically feature two side-by-side barrels, a design preferred by many traditionalists for its classic aesthetic and practicality in the field. The barrels on this shotgun are 28” inches long, offering a good balance for bird hunting and sport shooting.
The A.H. Fox Sterlingworth 12 GA Side-by-Side Shotgun remains a symbol of the golden era of American shotgun manufacturing, embodying a blend of functionality, durability, and classic elegance. Please see our photos.- C.B.
