Fox M Grade Single Barrel Trap

[Fowlgunner]

One has been listed on Gunbroker.

Here your chance guys.

Good Luck, Will

[Fin2Feather]

Got a link?

[Silvers]

Forum rules clearly state no links may be posted in the public forums. That means here; you can easily find the gun by getting on Gunbroker and searching for "Fox". It comes up on the first page. I am not connected with this gun or its seller in any way whatsoever. Silvers

[eightbore]

Maybe our BOD members would give us a nice Valentines present and post the order card for 400,370 so we can see some information on this interesting gun.

[Ithaca33]

Who want to lend me 20k?

[Researcher]

Last time I saw an M-grade for sale was 19 September 2005, at the Cabelas in Owatana, MN. That gun, serial number 400476, had an asking price of $45,000.

[Fowlgunner]

I am not in anyway connected with the item either.

I just knew it was listed in an obscure location that might be missed by all but the most dilegent bottom dwellers like myself and Mr. Murphy LOL.

Thought that everyone here would appreciate looking at it.

Hope I didn't cause any waves.

Will

[Fin2Feather]

Forum rules clearly state no links may be posted in the public forums. That means here; you can easily find the gun by getting on Gunbroker and searching for "Fox". It comes up on the first page. I am not connected with this gun or its seller in any way whatsoever. Silvers

Sorry; forgot about that. PS; I knew this was the public forum, but thanks for the tip.

[eightbore]

Researcher, how about posting the order card for this gun? After all, this is supposed to be an organization interested in research and knowledge of our guns. #400,370

[uncletom]

Bill, 400368, 369, and 370 were all 32" M Grades. 370 came out of Chicago in the 80's, and 368 out of NJ in the 70's. 370 had std 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 drop, LOP 14 3/4", weighed 8 pounds, Full Choke, Silvers Pad, Straight Grip, Full round comb, and the shield in the forend had HCS engraved on it when it came over to Pa. It came thru Connie Sundeen, and until I searched the records I had thought he had put his initials on the forend crest. Oddly enough, it went thru Sears and Roebuck when shipped from Fox. A lot of high grade Fox singles were made around time these M's were made, including a few other M Grades.

[SmithShady]

Wow, thanks for the great info Uncletom. With only nine of these ever made, I'm guessing there isn't much purchase history for a gun like this, but I find myself wondering how much it will go for? If the last one Dave saw was priced at $45,000 (keeping in mind it was at Cabela's), what do you guys think it will go for? Anybody know what that one sold for? Too rich for me already, but I can dream! Looking in McIntosh's book, this gun is mentioned as holding the record for having been shipped four times, 1925, 1926 and twice in 1929. Seems it had a problem staying sold. If I had it, you can bet it wouldn't be going anywhere.

Mike

[scaupman]

I have in my notes that Fox M grade SBT #400476 sold in the OCT 2007 Julia Auction for $31, 625.00.

Here is the auction description:

"ANSLEY H. FOX GRADE M SINGLE BARREL TRAP GUN. SN 400476. Cal. 12 ga. One of only nine Grade M shotguns ever built at Fox in period April 1921 through June 1932. According to the book A.H. Fox, McIntosh, this shotgun was last M-Grade shipped which occurred on June 16, 1932, but note this is a Philadelphia made gun. This model of the Fox shotgun was the epitome of the American Gun Maker's art and was the equivalent of the very rare Fox F-Grade dbl bbl and contemporary of the very highest grades Parker & LC Smith shotguns. It is described as having a 32" Chromox Fluid Steel bbl with flat matted ventilated rib, half ivory front bead & ivory middle bead with maker's name & address engraved on left side over the name "JOHN L. ENNIS". Receiver is spectacularly engraved, probably by William H. Gough, with full coverage, very fine, intertwined foliate arabesque patterns. It has flat scalloped gold border inlay around back edges with dash & dot gold border with gold wire around front edge. Hinge pin is also inlaid with a spoked wheel flat gold inlay. Right side & top of receiver have flat gold inlaid acanthus leaves with maker's name in flat gold on each side. Bottom front of receiver has two flat gold flying pigeons and trigger plate has a dash & dot gold border. Trigger bow has a gold wire border in Moorish pattern. Bottom tang has serial number in gold and opening lever has a rose blossom and two buds with stems & leaves in gold. Top tang also has full coverage matching engraving as does forend iron. Sides of bbl reinforcement and about 2-1/2" of bbl are engraved to match with flat gold inlays and top of bbl, over chamber area, is hand matted. Bbl flat, water table & inside forend iron have the serial number engraved, accompanied by an "M". Mounted with very nicely figured streaky French walnut with tiger striping and has a long forearm, fully checkered, with Fleur-de-lis and ribbon carving and a straight hand stock, checkered & carved extensively with raised side panels, also checkered & carved with the front section matted. It is 14-1/4" over leather faced, solid red pad. It has a gold initial shield on bottom engraved "JLE". Water table is beautifully jeweled. Accompanied by a letter from John T. Callahan, Arms Historian for Fox Shotguns, fully identifying this shotgun basically as found with Silvers recoil pad. It was shipped June 16, 1932 on Invoice #10377 and consigned to J.L. Galef Co. of New York City. Bore diameter: .726, Bore restriction: .024. Wall thickness: .072. Drop at heel: 1-7/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 8 lbs. .96 oz. CONDITION: Extraordinarily fine, has been fired but retains virtually all of its orig factory finish with strong bright blue on bbl and bright yet subtle case colors on receiver with some edge wear and turning dark on bottom & trigger plate. Trigger guard retains about 60-70% strong bright case colors and about half of top tang has turned silver. Wood is sound with forearm retaining virtually all of its orig hand rubbed oil finish showing very light checkering wear. Buttstock has a professionally restored finish from checkering back. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-31528 JR438 (30,000-45,000)"

[Bob Beach]

Fox ME 400370 was received in inventory at Abercrombie & Fitch on September 10, 1929. The stock dimensions recorded were 1 7/16 x 1 1/2 x 14 7/8.

Number 400493 (Grade ME) was also received at A&F on the same day.

Bob Beach
Griffin & Howe, Inc.

[Stan Hillis]

Interesting. Wonder if they sold before Black Tuesday, 49 days later?

Stan

[eightbore]

Bob, is there any notation of the buyer of 400370? Thanks to everyone who gave us information.