A.H. Fox Sterlingworth 26″ Full/IM 20 GA SXS Double Barrel Shotgun 1925 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2430

LSB#: 211027DC01

Make: A.H. FOX

Model: Sterlingworth

Serial Number: 257762

Year of Manufacture: 1925 (https://doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm)

Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 1/2” Shells

Action Type: Top-Break Side by Side with Extractor

Markings: The top of the left barrel is marked “MADE BY A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA. U.S.A.” the top of the right is marked “STERLINGWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL”. The barrel flat is marked with the serial number and the right with a Fox proof. The bottom of each barrel is marked “3”. The top of the forend iron is marked with the serial number. The water table is marked with the serial number. Each side of the receiver is marked “STERLINGWORTH”. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number. The receiver and trigger guard have border engraving.

Barrel Length: 26”

Choke: Left: Full, Right: Improved Modified, both fixed.

Sights / Optics: There is a silver colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is serrated to reduce glare.

Weight: 5 lb., 14.5 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and serrated black hard rubber buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack at the bottom-front of the forend. There is a tiny loss at the rear edge of the top tang. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14″ and 13 1/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear, a line of stubborn, white residue and a loss at the toe. Drop at comb is approximately 1 5/8″, drop at heel 2 7/8″. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bores, but there is some stubborn fouling at the muzzle end of the bores. There is a dent visible in the right bore along the right side about 5″ from the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels have generally strong finish with light wear at the muzzles and chambers. The barrels have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with some small spots of minor surface oxidation. The receiver has mostly worn to white in the exposed areas, retaining some case color around the edges of the fences, under the lever and on the water table. The worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. The trigger guard and bottom tang have light wear and minor surface oxidation, there is more finish on the trigger guard than the tang. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. 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: Fox Gun Company was founded in 1898 and produced shotguns of varying grades of fanciness with levels of engraving, finishes, barrel materials, etc., but all with uniform quality. The Sterlingworth was the model which brought that quality to the masses, with simple border engraving being the only adornment and all other effort being put simply into the quality of manufacture. This example was produced in 1925, a few years before the Great Depression would force Fox to sell to Savage. The gun is in Very Good condition, appearing to have seen use in the field with about 80% of its finish remaining. It is a 20 gauge, less common that 12 or 16 gauge Sterlingworths. The gun is trim with 26″ barrels and weighs in just under six pounds. It has great bores for a 95 year old field gun and could be back out in the field for another century. The Fox Sterlingworth is a classic American double from the heyday of American doubles, perfect for any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!