GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
RARE, HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION A.H. FOX STERLINGWORTH "WILDFOWL" EJECTOR GUN.A. H. FOXSXS STERLINGWORTH WILDFOWL13412212 GAMODERN; C&R; IVORYCal. 12 ga. 3" Chambers. 32" Bbls. Sales of Super Fox guns slowed during the Great Depression and it has been surmised that in order to clear a large inventory of "Super Fox" parts, Savage Arms put together this model, which in reality is a "Super Fox" dressed down to "Sterlingworth" finish. This product idea didn't work out as planned; total production of the Sterlingworth Wildfowl Grade is estimated at only about 35 guns! . Very heavy bbls with concave, matted rib are marked "SPECIAL ALLOY - FORGED STEEL" "SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION, UTICA, N.Y. U.S.A." and "PROOF TESTED - 12 GAUGE" on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with SN and "3 IN CHAMBERS". Case hardened action featuring automatic safety and dbl triggers is wiggle border engraved and has "FOX STERLINGWORTH" on each side. Blued trigger guard has SN on tang. Plain American walnut square knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over ribbed composition buttplate, and Sterlingworth type checkering is at grip. Matching shortened splinter forend with Deeley type release, instead of the normal spring friction release found on most Sterlingworths, is also fitted with Fox ejectors with patent dates stamped on iron. Bore diameter: left -.728, right - .728. Bore restrictions: left - .040 (super full), right - .040 (super full). Wall thickness: left - .048, right - .048. Drop at heel: 2-9/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 9 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". This exact shotgun has been featured in the Winter 2015 edition of the Double Gun Journal. It was pictured in Michael McIntosh's Fox book (Revised Edition) on page 228 and in the September 2002 American Rifleman magazine. Twin ivory beads. PROVENANCE: Callahan letter noting that this particular gun is missing from available records, but does enumerate that there are other guns in this series of the same type and states most all were shipped in 1945. He further states "I firmly believe that Savage at this late date had gotten a dealer or distributor to take these off their hands." Copies of references on the Sterlingworth from Michael McIntosh's book, Double Gun Journal, and American Rifleman. CONDITION: Excellent, original, as found, with only a small number of minor marks in bbl blue, somewhat thin overall. Action retains over 95% orig vivid cyanide color hardening with some scattered flecking, mostly on front right. Thumbpiece slightly silvered. Blue of trigger guard is thinning a bit at grip. Stocks have a number of light scratches and rubs, as well as some chipping of orig varnish mostly around forend latch. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. This is an extremely rare Fox, and this is the finest original condition example we have ever offered. 50539-1 MGM202 (9,000-14,000)