Fox, sn85429, Year 1919, 12GA, 7lbs. 12oz., Chokes LM/F, LOP 14 3/16"
In the world of A.H. Fox double shotguns, the 12ga. Sterlingworth is the most common of them all…they made tens of thousands of them. If you want ejectors on your gun the search just got harder, as less than 10% were produced with ejectors. The 12ga. Sterlingworth is easy to find…if you want just any old gun. Most have been well used, put away wet, stocks cut, barrels cut, pitted bores, cracked and repaired, poorly restored, etc. Finding a clean, honest Sterlingworth is difficult. Well, here we have the HOLY GRAIL OF STERLINGWORTH 12GA. GUNS, sn85429 made in Philadelphia in 1919. Why is this one special? Because this gun is a solid 98% overall FACTORY ORIGINAL CONDITION FOX. It is one of those guns you ask yourself “how can this be?”. Most of the time it turns out the gun was well restored…but not this one! This gun was never really used, was well cared for, and well stored over the 105 years of existence. Examining this gun with the harshest scrutiny you will find 98% vivid factory blue on the barrels, forend iron, and trigger guard, and brilliant case color on the action. The wood retains 98% stock finish, perfect checkering, no cracks or repairs. The 30” number 1 weight barrels have mirror perfect bores, are tight on face and hinge pin like a new gun. The mechanics of this gun are superb, as this is a VFI CERTIFIED GUN, meaning we stripped the action and forend iron to the smallest part, cleaned all in the Ultrasonic cleaner, scrubbed each part and inspected all for function and integrity, properly lubricated and reassembled. VFI CERTIFIED guns have a 90-day mechanical warranty (a $375 service in our shop). PRESENTLY IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND 2 ½” 12GA. SHELLS. BECAUSE OF THIS, VFI GUNSMITHS HAVE CAREFULLY MEASURED THE BARREL WALL THICKNESS AHEAD OF THE CHAMBER AND HAVE LENGTHENED THE CHAMBERS TO 2 ¾” AND EXTENDED THE FORCING CONES TO 1 ½” TAPERS SO THAT YOU CAN SHOOT MODERN 2 ¾” HEAVY FIELD LOADS THROUGH THIS GUN. This is a $360 service in our shop. The wood to metal fit and screws are perfect. When judging for originality you look for consistency throughout the gun. This gun is consistent in all areas of examination. THIS IS A STUNNING STERLINGWORTH! Even the stock dimensions are modern and the gun has the original buttplate…not a pad as so many do. Many shooters enjoy vintage sporting clays and some field use of their vintage double guns. The Fox guns with the heaviest #1 weight barrels are well suited to the rigors of clay targets and the heavy loads used for waterfowl, turkey, and late season pheasants, as the 7 ¾ pound weight of this gun will help reduce felt recoil and the balance being forward of the hinge pin will help keep those barrels moving on tough crossing shots. If you want to own the best and want to make a solid investment in a “condition” gun that you can use afield or at the club, this is your gun. Affordable excellence with desirable features is what you will get. Thanks for looking!
Barrels: 30" #1 wt
Chokes: .015/.035 LM/F
Bores: excellent
Bore Diameter: .725/.725
Wall Thickness: .035/.025
% Blue: 98%
Chambers: 2 3/4"
Ribs: tight
Sights: front brass
Action: tight-Way Right of Center
Ejectors: timed
Receiver: 96%
Screws: perfect
Engraving: sharp
Trigger: double-crisp
Trigger Color: 98% charcoal blue
Stock: Capped Pistol Grip/Splinter
LOP: 14 3/16"
LOP To End Of Wood: 13 15/16"
DAH: 2 3/4"
DAC: 1 5/8"
Cast: neutral
Checkering: excellent
Butt: factory plate
INQUIRIES
There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on long guns. If it is a “VFI Certified” gun there is a 90 day mechanical warranty. Call or email us for more details or questions. Thanks!
