Help with my 1930 A.H. Fox Sterlingworth

[Still Shooting]

I have a 12ga. Ainsley Fox Sterlingworth that I've owned for about 30 years. It has been some time since I've lived near open field pheasant country (about 20 years), and the gun has sat idle, with only measures to avoid rust and corrosion on the exterior. Recently, I found that the top lever is stiff, and occasionally the cross-bolt slides back when the lever is open, locking the barrels from being closed. I have used some carefully directed cleaner-degreaser and a little Kroil, and got things working smoothly again, BUT....

I'd like to disassemble the gun and do a thorough cleaning and lubrication. The problem is, I'm not sure how to remove the stock and get at its innards. The stock does not have a stock bolt, so it's not like everything else I own. There are screws in the rear of the trigger guard (one on the tail of the guard itself, and when removed and the guard rotated on the forward screw, one more screw underneath the first). But I fail to see a sure way to remove the stock from the metal, and don't want to unscrew something and have the innards come loose without being able to get the stock off!

I have searched the web to find an exploded drawing for this gun (it's NOT like the Savage-Fox Sterlingworth!), but no luck so far. Does anyone have or know where I can get a schematic drawing and/or instructions for disassembly?

 

[oneounceload]

You may REALLY want to rethink digging into the innards of an older gun like that when you have no idea about it. A good smith can most likely fix your issues with a minimum of hassle. Yes, the tang screws allow you access to disassemble the gun

You may want to visit these folks who can better direct you:

http://www.foxcollectors.com/ah_fox/content/

 

[Still Shooting]

Digging In - Maybe Later

Thanks, oneounceload for the link - Great site! Since I now have the Fox functioning smoothly, and have determined that the problem was most likely just "gunk" around the locking bolt and/or lever, I guess I'll leave her alone until I have an opportunity to get better acquainted with the mechanism and assembly. I did have a 'smith check the gun over before I bought it, but that was a l-o-o-ng time ago! I picked up on a thread about the problem occurring if the locking bolt has wear, but that doesn't look like the issue (phew!).

 

[oneounceload]

Great news, now go shoot her and enjoy it!