A.H. Fox Sterlingworth Deluxe 20ga Shotgun Cased

SALE PENDING

THIS GUN IS A BRAND NEW ARRIVAL…AFTER SELLING IT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER IT AGAIN!!!

This is a very unique set that has spent most of it’s entire life just a handful of miles from the Fox/Savage plant in Utica, NY. and was no doubt purchased/owned by a Savage employee.

The gun is an A.H. Fox Sterlingworth Deluxe grade in 20 gauge. This is the most deluxe “Deluxe” that I have seen. The Sterlingworth Deluxe was catalogued with twin ivory beads and recoil pad which this gun has completely original. What sets this gun apart is the highly grained/figured walnut in the buttstock…very atypical for a Sterlingworth gun. This wood was generally reserved for the graded Fox guns, no doubt hand picked for the original buyer.

The overall condition of this little Fox is excellent. It retains a generous 50-60% factory color case hardening, faded on the belly and forward sides of frame. The barrels and trigger guard retain most of their original factory blued finish. The barrels show some thinning and light scratching on typical carry areas.
The wood is totally sound with good fit and finish. No cracks or serious mars. Light handling marks from gentle use. Most of the factory varnish remains on both buttstock and forend. All screws are virtually untouched. This gun locks up tight and lever is well right of center. It’s obvious that this 20ga Fox was carried more than it was shot which one would expect from a Northeast upland bird gun.

I measure the barrels as follows:
Right: 621 with 9 thou to 4 thou of choke…minimum wall thickness of 29 thou at the muzzle.
Left: 621 with 8 thou choke… minimum wall thickness 35 thou. 2 3/4″ chambers.

This gun still has its orginal factory hangtag included which is a delight. This gun originally had full choke right and improved cylinder left…a very unusual combination. Apparently the right barrel choke was opened at a later time to an IC constriction as well, making it better suited for close flushing birds.

While the gun and hangtag are special in their own right, this set is complete with what is believed to be a factory Savage Arms era hardcase which was obviously built for this particular gun. Savage collectors will recognize this case as a similar type that was catalogued for the Savage Model 99 Rifle/410 Combination set. This case is larger than the rifle case but wears similar hardware and has the same type of black leatherette covering. The interior is lined in red felt with separate areas for 20ga shells, cleaning rod & jags and other accessories. I have seen no reference to this type Fox shotgun case mentioned in any of the Fox literature but by virtue of this gun’s tie to Utica and special wood I have no reason to think it was not supplied as a special order to a Savage employee/Exec. with it’s similiarity to the catalogued rifle cases.

This is an unique opportunity to purchase a special set that can be used and enjoyed afield.