Fox Sterlingworth 16 Ga – EJECTORS, 85% CASE COLOR, 1923

Upland bird hunters are aware that the Fox 16ga. guns are built on the 20ga. frame, and that is a very desirable feature.  There are plenty of Sterlingworth guns offered for sale as they made a lot of them.  So…which one to buy?  Features, AMOUNT OF FACTORY REMAINING, clear photos that allow you to see the gun from butt to muzzle, accurate specifications so you know what you are buying, and superb mechanics so you don’t have to worry about using your 100 year-old Fox (few gunsmiths can work on these guns and not ruin them)…these are the parameters that should guide your choice of where to invest your hard earned dollars.  Most Sterlingworth guns have seen hard use and have lots of issues.  It is easy to buy the wrong gun.  This amazing Philly Fox, sn359075 built in 1923, is one of those hard-to-find Ejector guns, AND IT RETAINS FACTORY ORIGINAL FINISHES, INCLUDING 99% BARREL AND TRIGGER GUARD BLUE, 85% CASE COLOR, AND MOST ALL OF THE FACTORY VARNISH.  Our gunsmiths at VFI have gone over this gun and it is ready for another 100 years of use.  The 28” number 3 weight barrels have mirror bores, ivory bead, all lettering clear and sharp, and are tight as new on the hinge pin and breech face.   PRESENTLY IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND 2 ½” 16GA. 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 $440 service in our shop. The action retains 85% vivid factory case color, perfect screws, top lever way right of center, ejectors well timed, crisp trigger pulls, all working correctly. THIS IS A VFI CERTIFIED GUN WITH A 90-DAY MECHANICAL WARRANTY.  The action and forend iron were stripped to their smallest part, cleaned in the Ultrasonic cleaner, scrubbed and inspected for function and integrity, properly lubricated and reassembled.  This is a $440 service in our shop.  The factory original wood has been lightly cleaned and some oil finish added to the original factory finish…NOT restored.  The factory flat top checkering is excellent and there are no cracks or splits.  The shooting dimensions are modern.  Look at the photos and specifications and you will see a gun that needs nothing in the way of work or attention, just some practice days at the clays course before the fast-approaching upland season is here.  See the specifications in the tables below. This is a quick handling, graceful little Fox that would be a pleasure to carry on those long days afield marching over hill and dale trailing after your favorite bird dogs.  You have the perfect investment grade gun that will be a joy to use afield while it appreciates in value, and a gun that is fully vetted and warranted in writing.  Thanks for looking!