Chokes were Modified/Full or Cylinder/Modified. 12 gauge guns could be had withĢ8 or 30 inch barrels, while the 16 and 20 gauge guns only came with 28 inchīarrels. (although a single trigger could be had at extra cost) and plain extractors Only sold as a basic gun with a color case hardened receiver.īy a rib extension and top bolt and is powered by coil springs. Unlike the Ithaca brand doubles, some of which wereĪvailable with showy engraving and checkering, the Lefever Nitro Special was Gun intended to compete in the marketplace at a price point below that of the The Nitro Special, along with all Ithaca doubles, was Resemblance to any earlier Dan Lefever design. The Nitro Special action was entirely designed by Ithaca and bore no Was basically the forerunner of the famous Ithaca N.I.D. Photo courtesy of Guns International.Ĭompany and in 1921 capitalized on the Lefever name by introducing the Nitro Special, a gun that Pounds, 16 gauge guns weighed six pounds and 20 gauge skeet guns weighed only Available options atĮxtra cost included automatic ejectors, single selective trigger, beavertailįorend, recoil pad and ivory bead sights. Was standard, as were double triggers and extractors. A straight hand stock with a 14 inch length of pull This was available in 12, 16 orĢ0 gauge with 26 inch barrels and choked Skeet/Quarter (similar to Winchesters Upland Game Gun, introduced in 1935 for $44.50. These Wildlife grade guns were offered until1940.Īnother late Sterlingworth variation was the Skeet and Super Fox Deeley type forend latch, instead of the usual Sterlingworth snap-on (except the usual Sterlingworth border) or fancy wood, but it retained the It was, in fact, a Super Fox without engraving Gauge, Sterlingworth waterfowl gun came with 30 or 32 inch specially chokeīarrels and three inch chambers. Sterlingworth retailed for $39.50 in 1934), this approximately nine pound, 12 Sterlingworth version, the Wildlife Grade of 1934. Of Super Fox waterfowl frames and barrels to create the most unusual It was also the most attractive.Īfter Savage purchased Fox, they used an existing inventory
In general, the Fox Sterlingworth wasĪ more sophisticated field grade gun with more optional and desirable features However, in the Sterlingworth this was a coil spring drivingĪ bolt with a roller pinned to its front, a more durable and sophisticatedĭesign than other snap-on forend latches. Like most economyĭoubles, the splinter forend was attached by a tension spring, rather than a There was a black Bakelite pistol grip cap and butt plate. Most Sterlingworths were supplied with standard grade Americanīlack walnut, pistol grip stocks with three panel checkering. Even the optional selective single trigger was reliable. Fox extractors extract properly and selective ejectorsĮject reliably. Tapered rotary top fastener and a large rib extension. The action was based on the same design andĬontained the same parts as the more expensive Fox grades. Like the graded Fox guns, the Sterlingworth's light andĬompact action made it (depending on gauge and barrel length, of course) a potentially The receiver and trigger guard even wore a bit of simpleīorder engraving. AvailableĪt extra cost (depending on vintage and model) were such options as automatic ejectors, single trigger, custom stock dimensions, 32 inchīarrels, beavertail forend, Silver's recoil pad and even an extra set of barrels.Įxternally, the lines of the Sterlingworth were similar to Options on the Sterlingworth unavailable on most of its competition. Standard specifications incurred an additional charge. Options were offered than for graded Fox guns and any deviation from the Barrels were 26, 28 or 30 inches with Full/Full, Modified/Full orĬylinder/Modified chokes and solid ribs. The Sterlingworth was an economical, standardized, field gradeĭouble. By 1912 the 20 gauge had been added and in 1913 a 16 gaugeĪppeared. The Fox Sterlingworth was introduced in 1910 in 12 gauge Fox Sterlingworth Skeet and Upland Sterlingworth with beavertail forend and SST. Stocks, a Scott spindle top lever to open the action and top tang mountedĪ.H. Modern interchangeable choke tubes had not been invented. Lump, dovetail lump, or mono-block systems. The barrels, but it produces a gun wider across the breech than the chopper These economy double guns were all built with hammerless box double gun companies seem to be getting increased attention. Strong for some time and now the less expensive models bearing the names of the Interest in higher grade American shotguns has been There seems to be a revival of interest in economical,Īmerican made, side-by-side shotguns, particularly those manufactured prior to Fox Sterlingworth, Lefever Nitro Special, Parker Trojan, Savage/Fox Model B and Winchester Model 24