A few weeks ago, I acquired what I believed to be a wonderful example of a classic American shotgun. What I didn't realise at the time, is that it was also a rare build.
Its an AH Fox 12 ga SxS BLE, with Krupp steel barrels, in good condition. Serial number indicates she was built in 1912. Lots of honest use showing on her, but no abuse. She locks up tight, with the top lever still closing well right. Her tubes are bright with trace of minor pitting in right barrel. No cracks, dents, or chips. Aftermarket pachmyer buttpad.
As described above, I was confident that I had made a shrewd purchase. When I got it home and started doing some research, I discovered I had a very rare vintage gun. This particular Fox is a Grade B. At the time, there were 3 grades - A, B, and C. The A grade was the lowest, or 'field' grade, and is the most common (if you can call any model or grade of AH Fox "common"), the C grade was the finest. If you could afford it, you would likely buy the C grade. The B grade was the mid-quality grade. Hardly anybody ordered B grade, so they are quite rare. In addition, the straight or "English" stock was ordered on 15% or fewer of the double guns Fox produced. And, the biggest surprise, this gun has 32" barrels. These were very seldom ordered, as this was considered the "trap" configuration.
I took it in the field the day after I bought it and dropped a ruffed grouse using Gamebore Pure Gold 2 1/2" smokeless shells. I'm truly blessed to have this gun and the opportunity to play with it!
Its an AH Fox 12 ga SxS BLE, with Krupp steel barrels, in good condition. Serial number indicates she was built in 1912. Lots of honest use showing on her, but no abuse. She locks up tight, with the top lever still closing well right. Her tubes are bright with trace of minor pitting in right barrel. No cracks, dents, or chips. Aftermarket pachmyer buttpad.
As described above, I was confident that I had made a shrewd purchase. When I got it home and started doing some research, I discovered I had a very rare vintage gun. This particular Fox is a Grade B. At the time, there were 3 grades - A, B, and C. The A grade was the lowest, or 'field' grade, and is the most common (if you can call any model or grade of AH Fox "common"), the C grade was the finest. If you could afford it, you would likely buy the C grade. The B grade was the mid-quality grade. Hardly anybody ordered B grade, so they are quite rare. In addition, the straight or "English" stock was ordered on 15% or fewer of the double guns Fox produced. And, the biggest surprise, this gun has 32" barrels. These were very seldom ordered, as this was considered the "trap" configuration.
I took it in the field the day after I bought it and dropped a ruffed grouse using Gamebore Pure Gold 2 1/2" smokeless shells. I'm truly blessed to have this gun and the opportunity to play with it!
