Another Fox A Grade

[Todd G]

I just found an old A.H.Fox 16 guage at a sale. I don't know much about it other than the guy who sold it to me thought it was a .410 and had been in his closet for 30 years after he inherited it from his father in law. The serial number is 3022XX. What's something like this worth? It does have some pitting on the reciever and the stock looks like it was used quite a bit.

http://picasaweb.google.com/TGreenhagen/AHFox

[Fin2Feather]

Ain't gonna be a .410; Fox never made 'em! Couldn't get the link to work.

[Todd G]

I couldn't get the picture to come up. Try the link.

[eightbore]

The pictures worked for me. It looks like a wonderful, all original, low mileage but neglected Philadelphia A Grade with some surface rust on the receiver and some chipping of the finish on the wood. This is a real screamer of a shooting gun. Go very carefully removing the rust from the receiver because every speck of case hardening colors removed with the rust will decrease the value of the gun by about $100 and there are lots of specks of case colors left.

[Todd G]

How do yo go about removing the neglect on the reciever and stock withouthurting the value? (A true beginner here)

[eightbore]

I'm real conservative about it. I usually use 10W30 on a T-shirt or 400 steel wool rubbed aggressively, then "hunt" the rest of it off. I am in the process of "hunting" tarnish and light rust off of several double guns as we speak.

[Mark Copeland]

Todd,

I would place value in current state between $1,750 and $2,250 retail. Wholesale $1,250 to $1,750. Hope this helps and let us know if your successful in your bid.

MC

[Todd G]

I already purchased the gun. It sure is purdy! What exactly is "hunting". I'm assuming it's going after each spec individually.

[eightbore]

No, Todd, "hunting the rust off" is putting the setters or pointers in the car, driving to an area that holds birds, and carrying the gun for miles each day for many days in a season. Of course, I'm getting a little old to hunt too much more tarnish off my project guns, but it has always worked in the past. The 10W30 on 400 steel wool may get results a little faster. Good luck with your fine new gun.

[Todd G]

OK, last question. I promise!

What shells can I shoot through the old girl? Can she take modern rounds?

[FRBRIT]

Mark,

I'd sure like to find some A-grade 16's at the prices you posted. From what I've seen lately most small bore sterlingworths are drawing prices like you posted.

I'm not picking on you just wondering if your holding out on some good stuff at great prices?

Paul

[Mark Copeland]

Paul,

No, not holding out. It seems 16 AE were selling at the prices I mentioned just earlier this year, I must be dreaming.

[Mark Copeland]

It's not a 16 but it does represent a more realistic pice point. If you look hard enough you can still find decent deals.

3190 $2,875.00 *OUTSTANDING AH FOX A GRADE DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN. SN 27358. Cal. 12 ga. 30" bbl FULL/FULL with 2-1/2" chambers with std fox rib with two beads. Gun has standard splinter forend, dbl triggers, extractors and round knob pistol grip stock with vintage Hawkins pad having 14-1/2" length of pull. Bore diameter: left-.728, right-.728. Bore restrictions: left-.036, right-.036 . Wall thickness: left-.036, right-.041 . Drop at heel: 2-3/4" , drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 7lbs 11oz. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain nearly all original blue with only a couple of very minor scratches. Receiver retains nearly all of its original case colors with just a little thinning at the balance point. Both forend and butt stock retain fine, original finish with only minor handling marks. This is truly an outstanding early A-grade Fox. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is bright and shiny. 4-59850 BT2 (2,500-4,000)