I've recently inherited a Fox/Savage side by side...

[DannyR]

BTS 12 gauge shotgun , chambered for 2-3/4 inch shells, with a single trigger that fires both barrels. One barrel is engraved with: FOX Savage Arms USA Westfield Mass Model B/ pat. #3.005.263. The other is engraved with: Proof Tested, 2 3/4 inch. The sides of the receiver are engraved with a banner that reads "FOX" surrounded by a few scrolls. In addition, the right side is engraved with "BTS". The bottom side of the receiver is engraved with the head of a fox. The butt plate has the outline of a shield that is about 1/4 inch in diameter. There is no serial number. The checkering on the pistol grip is worn. The forearm checkering is not worn. At first I thought the forearm was not original, but I took it outside in the sunlight and the color and grain of the wood appear to match. Can anyone here give me an idea of the age and value of the gun?

[Researcher]

This web site is for A.H. Fox shotgun collectors and shooters. The Model B is purely a Savage creation, and except for using the Fox name which they owned, is no way related to the guns designed by Ansley H. Fox. In that it has the Westfield address it would be after 1961. If it has a serial number, it would have been made after the gun control act of 1968 went into effect.

Fox Model B – The Fox Model B was added to the 1940 Fox catalogue put out by Savage. The retail price was $25. The Model B was offered in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauges and .410-bore, and had a color case-hardened frame. By January 22, 1945, the retail price of the Model B was up to $34.50. The Fox Model B shared many parts with Savage’s Stevens-built 5100 action doubles, Stevens No. 530 and No. 311 and several Springfield models. Between 1946 and 1947, Savage consolidated their gun making operations at the old J. Stevens factories in Chicopee Falls, Mass.

Through the 1954 catalogue the Model B remained a double trigger, plain extractor, slim forearm utility gun. In the 1955 catalogue Savage added a Model BST which got a non-selective single trigger and a beavertail forearm. The offerings were the same for 1956 thru 1958.

By the 1960 catalogue the B and the BST got ventilated ribs. Between the 1960 and 1961 catalogues, Savage/Stevens/Fox moved from Chicopee Falls to the new factory at Westfield, Mass. There were no changes in the 1961 catalogue.

For 1962 a B De Luxe in 12-gauge was added with a satin chrome receiver, white-line grip cap and butt plate, checkered side panels, beavertail, ventilated rib, and gold plated non-selective single trigger. They also gold plated the trigger on the BST. There were no changes for 1963.

For 1964 the De Luxe became the BDE, and included automatic ejectors, and also was available in 20-gauge chambered for 3-inch shells. The B and BST remained unchanged.

For 1965 the B and BST 20-gauges got 3-inch chambers.

For 1966 the satin chrome BDE was gone. There was a BSE with ejectors, non-selective single trigger, satin black finish, white-line butt plate and grip cap, beavertail and ventilated rib. The Model B had double triggers, was case hardened, had a ventilated rib, and now a beavertail. Both guns now featured impressed stamped checkering. For 1967, 8, 9 and 1970 the offerings were the same. The gun control act of 1968 required Savage to start putting serial numbers on these guns.

By 1971 there was a gun called the Savage 550 which was just like the BSE but had a case hardened receiver, and was offered in 12- and 20-gauges. The text said it had precisely engineered barrels resulting in perfect balance. In the picture it appears to be a mono-bloc design?!? Also grip caps are gone from the B and BSE. Offerings for 1972 were the same – the 550 listed at $174.95, the B-SE listed at $164.95, and the B listed at $139.95.

By 1973, the BSE and 16-gauges are gone, but there is a 24-inch barrel B in 12-gauge and 20-gauge, both with 3-inch chambers.

For 1974 the Savage 550 is gone and the B-SE is back. The B-SE 12-gauge has 2 ¾ inch chambers and the 12-gauge B and 24” Fox B have 3-inch chambers. All the 20-gauge and .410-bore are 3-inch chambered. No changes for 1975, 6, 7, or 8. For 1979 the grip caps are back and the double triggered B is offered with ejectors as the BE.

For 1980, cut checkering is back, but the 24-inch barrel offerings are gone – B, BE and B-SE. In 1981 the BE was gone, but the FA-1 and the FP-1 Fox autoloader and pump appeared. For 1982 the Fox offerings were B, B-SE, FA-1 and FP-1.

For 1983 the only Fox offering was the B-SE. The B-SE remained through the 1987 catalogue when its list price was $525. By the 1988 catalogue the Fox name was gone.

[DannyR]

Thank you for the information regarding the gun and this website.

[Fin2Feather]

Danny, if you look at the bottom of the receiver near the hinge there should be a stamp in the shape of a small oval; inside is a letter. A=1948, B=1950, etc. Researcher states that the Westfield address means it's made after 1961, so the letter should be M or higher. The Model B's have the same action as the Stevens 311, with enhancements on the side of the frame in an attempt to make them resemble the A.H. Fox guns.

While a Fox in name only, those old shooters have accounted for a lot of game, and still have some fans among shooters if not among collectors. A bit heavy, but solid and strong. The 12's don't bring as much as the 20's or even 16's; I suspect you can find them for sale around $200 - 300 depending on condition. Hope this helps.

[DannyR]

Thank you Fin2Feather.

[equinox]

Likewise, neighbor brought over a Fox Savage Model B Side-By-Side with a 20" barrell, 2 triggers, etc.
Looking at all of the markings...looks to have no serial number and "17B", "A" with a circle around it, a "T" and "F" and "J". It has the engraved duck scene on the bottom by the trigger guard and "17B".

Can you guys confirm year and current value if this item and any other information about it??

Thanks in advance.

[eightbore]

"B" is 1950, according to the previous poster. You have a $100 or $200 gun if it works as designed. The shortened barrels take it down from about $325.

[equinox]

Ok, that's what I thought....1950.

lol. $100-200...I don't think any gun sells for that low except maybe a saturday night special or raven arms or something.

I see the Blue Book of Gun Value 2022 has it on page 888. It gives the value for 12-gauges as follows (if anyone is interested):
100% - $450
98% - $395
95% - $350
90% - $295
80% - $265
70% - $235
60% - $200

I'll tell her to keep it and enjoy it. It's a really cool gun and home protection firearm in my opinion.

[Jeff S]

It’s a shame that someone cut the barrels. Usually you’ll find that barrels have been cut down to 26”, which still drastically reduces the price. Cut to 20” makes it worth very little (parts). As you said, pretty much just home defense. Regarding the blue book estimates, 20” barrels would put it below “60%”.