I own a beautiful 20 ga Fox Sterlingworth with serial number 2548xx, which, according to the serial number chart on Doubleguns is from 1917 or so. However the barrels are marked Savage Arms Corporation. Savage didn't produce the Sterlingworth until the 1930's. The serial number is all matching on the frame, trigger guard and barrel underside. Any insights.

savage often replaced barrels on older fox guns that were damaged beyond repair...

Actually at some point in time, Savage initiated a policy that if a Philadelphia era Ansley H. Fox gun was sent in for repair, first they would measure the barrels and if they met their specs, they would rechamber to 2 3/4 inch and proof test them at the owners risk. If they passed they would then do the requested work. That is how we end up with Philadelphia barrels marked like this --



If the barrels didn't meet their requirements or failed proof, they would be destroyed, and Savage would fit a new set of barrels at 10% off list as a matter of customer good will. Leading to guns like this --



three-digit serial number gun.

Or this early 1920s 20-gauge --

Lots of interesting variations on Sterlingworths. I owned a very late 16ga that was flat sided. Didn't have the raised panels (or bosses) on the receiver. However, it was engraved as if the panels were there. There was some speculation that the receiver may have been made for an SP (which I believe is the only flat sided Fox), then finished as a Sterlingworth as Savage was ending production of real Foxes.

unusually configured fox guns could be reworks performed by savage arms when they serviced fox guns...and...about the same time savage ceased service of fox guns, their chief fox gunsmith, mitzie beiland retired...when savage sold off their stock of surplus fox parts, mitzie bought a quantity of those parts and began servicing fox guns from his home shop...he also assembled complete guns...a couple of which have passed through my hands...

i never met mitzie, but have known people who did and visited his shop in mass...anybody else here have any knowledge of mitzie and his work?

Mitzie was not above using the Philadelphia style roll-stamps on a set of obviously Chicopee Falls made barrels. I have a Wayne & Bristol Streets, very light weight, 26-inch Krupp barrel C-Grade, that Mitzie refurbished.



He also added this very heavy 29 1/2 inch set of barrels with a beavertail forearm --

Researcher;

I continue to be amazed by the extent of your knowledge of the gun trade. You are a "national" treasure.

researcher: to my knowledge, mitzie beiland has passed away and is unable to defend against your accusation here...by roll stamping barrels, you are suggesting that he committed fraud...curious, how is it so obvious that the barrels were role stamped by beiland?

Back up, ed. Dave is only saying what happened ........ what Mitzie did, not why he did it. You're being too quick to cast stones. You need to come down off your high horse, Mr. Torch.

SRH

the why is immaterial... spurious creation of factory markings is fraud...to accuse someone of fraud, without proof to back it up is...well, inexcusable...sorta like you an dis torch derangement syndrome (tds) thang...

No Ed, you are incorrect. Fraud requires an element of intent to deceive.

i give up...

News flash. Ed gives up.