doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Savage Fox Sterlingworth

Just new to the double gun fraternity and I have recently purchased a sterlingworth 16. The serial number is 3507XX, which according to the Blue Book would be one of the early manufactures of the sterlingworth. Trouble is that the barrles are marked Savage arms and are fluid compressed steel. The barrels do not list the gauge or the choke configuration. I suspect the barrels are a recent addition as they are in excellent condition. Any help on the history of my firearm.

Cole

It is very likley that the barrels were replaced if the serial numbers are right. I have an ejector 1911 Sterlingworth with 2 sets of barrels marked Chickopee Fals. They were replaced and the gun rebuilt at some time in the past.

Best, Dick

Here is a list of serial numbers:
http://doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm

This is a link to the fox collectors site:
http://www.foxcollectors.com/sterlingworth%20directory.htm

If you have any pictures of the gun, it would help if you posted them.

There are some very serious Fox experts on this site.

Pete

And welcome to the board.

As far as I have seen, you will not find gauge or choke markings on any Fox. The serial number of 300k will tell you that it is a 16. It's not odd that the barrels are fluid steel, but they have been replaced by Savage or someone else.

A good many of the early Fox Sterlingworths had the gauge stamped on barrel flats. I have several 16/ 20 that are stamped.Never seen chokes stamped. Bobby

Your serial number makes that 1913, or first year production for 16g Sterlys, so it no doubt received a new brl at some point.

This by Researcher from a previous thread:

It sounds to me like your gun was back to Savage for repairs in the late 1940s or 1950s. Savage had a policy on Philadelphia Fox guns returned for repair that they wouldn't do any repair until the gun was rechambered to 2 3/4 inches and reproofed at the owners risk. If it failed to pass their proof, the original barrels were destroyed and a new set fitted (at cost as a matter of customer good will). Savage moved from their Utica, New York, plant shortly after WW-II and it went to making washing machines. Savage had consolidated there firearms operations at the old Stevens plant in Chicopee Falls, Mass. by 1949, possibly a year or two earlier (I don't have any Savage paper between 1945 and 1949). Between 1960 and 1961 Savage moved into their new factory at Westfield, Mass. So, with the Chic Falls address, I'd say your gun was rebarreled between the late 1940s and 1960.

Thanks for the correction Bobby. I have 2 smallbores with the gauge markings. That'll teach me to think about 3 a.m. posts on New Years Eve.

Thanks for the quick replies. Here are some photos. This is my first 16 gauge and I am impressed with its small frame. The bores are excellent and the action is very tight. Any estimates of what a gun like this should cost (I paid $400 USD).

Cole

[img]http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?collid=656133215206&UV=822432292742_724340215206[/img]

Coleman - You got a deal. Way to start the new year.