12 gauge CE and soon to be member

[coues]

I just sent in my membership to the A H Fox Collectors Association, and want to say hello. I have been shooting SXS for a few years now. Mainly Parkers and LC Smiths. I rarely find a FOX out here in the Southwest. That changed yesterday with a phone call offering a CE grade at a price I had to ask twice about. The S/N is 26476. I thought I would see if anyone can share any information on the CE's and this one in particular while I await my membership and then be able to get any information on file. The gun is a 32" barrels gun with a splinter forend. The engraving is very sharp, wood has original finish and appears to have never been apart. The down side is it was freckled with rust when I got it. Some gentle cleaning did wonders but the barrels need to be reblued as some areas are pretty thin on bluing and the left side of the muzzle has some light pitting. Bores cleaned up very nice. I also need to get a front bead, a screw had been installed in the hole, and the head removed. Biggest issue is the screw running forward into the forend appears to be very long, and actually caused a small area to raise and blister. While wiping it down the small blister just crumbled leaving a small hole that needs to be expertly filled and blended. I will try to post some pictures if I can figure out how to do it, while my turkey dinner settles tomorrow afternoon.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING,
Phil

[MARSHFELLOW]

Welcome Phil. Sounds like a nice gun.

[Big Friend Ten]

Welcome aboard Phil,

A 32" CE is a heck of a gun! I favor barrels and own a few 32" Fox guns along with the same Parkers, Elsies, and Lefevers! I doi not however own a 32" CE or higher Fox. I love all my vintage American doubles the AH Fox guns have a special feel in my hands.

PS: Thanks for joining the Fox Association!

Mark

[Stan Hillis]

Welcome to the "club", Phil, and Happy Thanksgiving. What a great find, a 32" CE! Sounds like the issues you raised with it are not insurmountable. As long as the barrels and stock aren't cut, little things like you mentioned can be dealt with. Hope you can post some pictures soon. I love 32" Foxes, too. If you're not well versed in photography try to take the pictures outside. Good results are much easier for me to obtain using natural light. Post them into photobucket (I think there may be other free accounts that will accomplish the same thing), then bring them over from there, If you have any problems doing that holler back and maybe some of us can help.

All my best, Stan

[Silvers]

Happy Thanksgiving Phil, it sounds like you made a good find. None of the issues you cited are show stoppers especially since you bought the gun right. CE's are highly thought of by our members because of their typical good wood quality, and the engraving which has a decidely english flair. You'll find there's a cult here that loves 32-inch barrels for many good reasons. And you have both of them in one gun. That wood screw that's in the forend knuckle should be about 1-1/2" long, and if much longer, may have been replaced in an attempt to tighten the draw of the knuckle to the wood. Since the screw engages at an angle, a longer screw would likely cause a blister or hole on the exterior wood surface. Once you get your membership access you can request a "card lookup" for that s/n on the private Members Forum which is here in phantom until your access is enabled. Methinks you should add your new CE to the list of things to be thankful for today. Silvers

[Fin2Feather]

Ah, another Phil! Welcome...

Phil

[coues]

Here are a few pictures of my new CE. Also can anyone tell me how long it takes to process the memeberships once you pay and sign up on line? Is there a members only area?
Best Regards Phil

[bbman3]

Phil,Welcome aboard.You should be proud of your great looking CE. Bobby