Sterling shotgun

Question
I have a double barrel 12 gauge break open shotgun, manufacture fox gun company, Sterlingworth. The serial #100256.  It is in pretty good condition, no recoil pad. Can you possibly tell me more info on the gun? The gun was handed down from my grandfather who was from Va.

Answer
Hello Bill. The A.H. Fox Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the manufacturer of your fine shotgun. This company was in business at this location from 1905-1930, when it was bought out by Savage Arms. Your serial number places your Fox as manufactured in 1924. The Sterlingworth was manufactured from 1910 and carried over into the Savage domain up to 1942. There were two models of the Sterlingworth for the hunter. They were the 'Sterlingworth' and the 'Sterlingworth Deluxe'. They both had checkering on the pistol grip of the butt stock. The 'Sterlingworth' was available in 12,16 and 20ga. with the barrel lengths of 26,28, or 32". It came with extractors or with ejectors, ejectors adding approximately 33% to the collectors price. The 'Sterlingworth Deluxe' came in 32" barrel only. The same 33% applying to the ejectors. The 'Deluxe' came with a rubber recoil pad and an Ivory bead front sight. The price on the two are close, being from $500-$1800 and the 'Deluxe' from $650-$2200.
Your grandfather had a good eye for quality when he purchased this one. There were other higher quality guns like this, but the 'Sterlingworth' has always been a favorite of mine.
I hope this answers your questions and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage