Advice on purchasing my first Fox

[ccather]

I saw my first Fox shotgun this week and was immediately taken with the form and beauty of the gun. Knowing little about these shotguns, I thought I would ask the members of the Forum if you might share some advice and/or experience about purchasing this or another Fox. This gun is a late model AE (1928-1929) Philly, 12ga with a loose top rib.

Details

Barrels: 12 gauge, 28", left 0.684 and right 0.7002, loose top rib last 1.5" (directly under front bead), no visible corrosion on interior or exterior, front bead only, bore is bright with no dents or bulges, blueing is even and not worn.

Action: Model AE, some case color (I do not know how much should be there), no dents, scratches or corrosion, lever returns to center, ejectors work, ejector side pins intact, screws on bottom of action are inline with the barrel and no visible evidence they have been turned.

Stock: Semi-pistol grip, 12" LOP from back trigger to butt. Stock shows wear. There are scratches in the finish. A few small, older looking dings in the wood. Finish is worn form the stock near the butt plate.

Price: $1800

I am concerned that the repair will be costly ($600-800) and the barrels would be reblued. I do not want to be upside down in the gun. I plan on shooting and enjoying this gun in the field.

Thanks for any advice.

Charles

[fox-admin]

I would pass on the gun, shortened stock and loose rib equal to many problems. There are plenty of A grade Fox guns, just keep looking for one with excellent mechanicals, original dimensions and finish.

[AmarilloMike]

You can probably buy a Fox A grade ready-to-shoot for the cost of relaying the rib and bluing the barrels. And with an uncut stock.

[eightbore]

Good advice. I would prefer a high condition non ejector Sterlingworth for half the price.

[jolly bill]

ccather,

You measured the LOP (length of pull) as 12 inches from the butt to the REAR trigger. What is the dimension from the end of the butt plate or recoil pad to the front trigger?

It should be around 14 inches.

Jolly

[ccather]

The distance from the front trigger to the butt is 13".

[birdawg]

You can easily find better for that money.

[fullchoke16]

If you want a shooter,don't get too discouraged by a short stock, spacers and pads can get you back into the game there. As previously mentioned, the barrels are the important part . You can't shoot with poor condition barrels. Keep on looking, there are good guns out there.

[ASavageFox]

my recommendation is that you get a copy of Mike McIntosh's book and read it first... keep browsing Fox guns for sale and decide what model you really want and determine a good price... you won't be sorry with the wait in the end but you might regret a rash decision. Spend some time here reading old post and understand what issues can be found with these guns and how determine a cherry from a lemon.

[eightbore]

If you want a positive take on the gun, show us pictures of the muzzle where the rib separation is. The stock length is a no problem situation because an original type pad will bring you back to 14" to the front trigger.

[Germantown]

I saw my first Fox shotgun this week and was immediately taken with the form and beauty of the gun. Knowing little about these shotguns, I thought I would ask the members of the Forum if you might share some advice and/or experience about purchasing this or another Fox. This gun is a late model AE (1928-1929) Philly, 12ga with a loose top rib.

Details

Barrels: 12 gauge, 28", left 0.684 and right 0.7002, loose top rib last 1.5" (directly under front bead), no visible corrosion on interior or exterior, front bead only, bore is bright with no dents or bulges, blueing is even and not worn.

Action: Model AE, some case color (I do not know how much should be there), no dents, scratches or corrosion, lever returns to center, ejectors work, ejector side pins intact, screws on bottom of action are inline with the barrel and no visible evidence they have been turned.

Stock: Semi-pistol grip, 12" LOP from back trigger to butt. Stock shows wear. There are scratches in the finish. A few small, older looking dings in the wood. Finish is worn form the stock near the butt plate.

Price: $1800

I am concerned that the repair will be costly ($600-800) and the barrels would be reblued. I do not want to be upside down in the gun. I plan on shooting and enjoying this gun in the field.

Thanks for any advice.

Charles

Charles- I sent you a pm about this-- GT