- Joined
- May 29, 2003
- Messages
- 18,614
Actually, it found me ... sort of ... A good friend passed away a few years ago and I have kept in close contact with his widow. Last week she shows up at my office with a shotgun and hands it to me and asks, "What is this worth? I am trying to figure out what to do with it?" Hmmm, good question. My mind was whirling. I had no clue, but it sure was a pretty gun!
So, I began an investigation. What I have learned so far is there is a very active Fox Collectors group. And this gun has some interesting aspects to it. First, it seems to be a "B" grade stock with "C" grade barrels. However, the serial numbers and identification stamping match, so that is the way it left the factory. Also, it appears to be refinished because some of the "accessories" (screws, breech lever, trigger guard) are blued instead of nickel, and of course, the ugly butt plate has been added/changed from original (probably a 70's era change there).
This shotgun is extremely tight and in great shape. It appears to be manufactured in Philadelphia by the A.H. Fox company around 1913 or early 1914 (just before Fox left the company to become a professional shooter for Winchester, I believe). Values are all over the place for this piece, and I am waiting to get my "History Card" back from Savage Arms (which bought out Fox in the late 1930's) to see exactly how it was ordered/delivered. It seems to be a special order gun, so if it was ordered with the blued screws and the C barrel on the B frame, my friend has herself a real winner! It is currently in my safe until I can determine it's actual value. If any of you "gun experts" have any clue as to the worth of said gun, please let me know (it is not my gun and it is not for sale, I am just trying to determine the value for a friend at this time). Thanks.
So, I began an investigation. What I have learned so far is there is a very active Fox Collectors group. And this gun has some interesting aspects to it. First, it seems to be a "B" grade stock with "C" grade barrels. However, the serial numbers and identification stamping match, so that is the way it left the factory. Also, it appears to be refinished because some of the "accessories" (screws, breech lever, trigger guard) are blued instead of nickel, and of course, the ugly butt plate has been added/changed from original (probably a 70's era change there).
This shotgun is extremely tight and in great shape. It appears to be manufactured in Philadelphia by the A.H. Fox company around 1913 or early 1914 (just before Fox left the company to become a professional shooter for Winchester, I believe). Values are all over the place for this piece, and I am waiting to get my "History Card" back from Savage Arms (which bought out Fox in the late 1930's) to see exactly how it was ordered/delivered. It seems to be a special order gun, so if it was ordered with the blued screws and the C barrel on the B frame, my friend has herself a real winner! It is currently in my safe until I can determine it's actual value. If any of you "gun experts" have any clue as to the worth of said gun, please let me know (it is not my gun and it is not for sale, I am just trying to determine the value for a friend at this time). Thanks.
