32" BE grade 20 gauge.

tegun · Post by **tegun** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:27 pm

Hi there,I have a 32"BE grade A.H fox 20 gauge,with serial#200,891.Please help me know more about my Fox..Has anybody seen one?Will post pics.

Post by **fox-admin** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:58 pm

Sounds like a interesting Fox, please post pictures. Is it first or second generation engraving?

tegun · Post by **tegun** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 7:11 pm

2nd gen,40-50% case harding colour left 98% blueing on barrels

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:14 pm

I've seen 32-inch 20-gauges in Sterlingworth, A-, AE-, XE-, and DE-Grades. Have certainly never seen one in BE-Grade. The BE-was dropped from the A.H. Fox Gun Co. catalogues in the 1918-19 time frame. However, from the records, 20-gauge B-/BE-Grades were still trickling out as late as April 1922. The highest serial number BE-Grade 20-gauge I know of is 201561 shipped the end of November 1920.

Sounds like a cool gun. If you ever get over here to the eastern edge of WA I'd love to see it.

tegun · Post by **tegun** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:57 am

Thank you for that researcher.Do you bird hunt in the yakima area?Interested in meeting other collectors that share an interest in hunting,or just out to get the German Longhair to hunt.My family has been gunshowing and collecting for 3 generations,W.W Greener,Parker,Holland&Holland,Drillings or just plain-jane 22's,but this BE Fox has me very excited!

R.R. · Post by **R.R.** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:05 pm

Tegun, for what it's worth, I have a B 20 within 30 numbers of yours that letters to March of 1917. I'll second Craig's comments, pictures would be great. Enjoy the one that you have, I'd doubt that you'll ever see another... if you do, look me up.

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:25 pm

Thought I'd just pull up the previous thread on the 32" BE 20-gauge to the front.

Re your previous question, in my youth, growing up in Seattle, we use to do our Dove shooting just south of Yakima, near Zillah. Now, living over here near the Idaho border I usually hunt down in the southeast corner of the State. Maybe out to the Columbia Basin a couple times during the season. From the early 1960s to the late 1980s my Father and his buddies kept a place over in Grant County. Pheasants there sure aren't even a small fraction of what they were during the 1960s!! Clean farming!!!

boocoo · Post by **boocoo** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:13 pm

What would be the first ser# range for the 2nd gen engraving or when about did it start ?

Pat

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:01 pm

In the graded 12-gauge guns we find the Gough-style engraving beginning in the high 20,xxx range. I have recorded one AE-Grade with early-style engraving in the 21,0xx range.

In the graded smallbores we seem to be into the Gough engraving in the high 300s -- 300384 and 200399 are the lowest numbered Gough-style guns I've recorded.

jolly bill · Post by **jolly bill** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:46 pm

I'm thinking early style engraving in Fox B/BE grades are pretty darn rare. I remember seeing one, an early style BE 16 back in the days when the OGCA (Ohio Gun Coll. . .etc) shows were in Columbus. A dandy little piece with lots of condition. I examined it along with another Fox collector who bought it and I believe he still has it. Don't remember SN. And I think that is about the only early style B/BE that I have seen.

And I agree with Dave/Researcher on that B 20 SN 200399.

I once owned an early style A grade 20: SN 200061 that had Chromox barrels. A 26" F&F gun with not much finish but all original. Kinda wish I still had it.

Jolly

boocoo · Post by **boocoo** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:08 am

What would be the high side numbered Gough-style guns you have recorded.

Would they fall in the early 2nd gen range of 20500 2600 etc and would they have his name engraved ?

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:31 am

Bill,

My notes show 200061 to be living in Cape Girardeau, MO., and having 26-inch Krupp barrels. And, it states that on page 143 of McIntosh's Fox book.

My notes show 200036, 41 and 52 as being Chromox barrel guns. I looked at 200041 at The Vintage Cup in 2006.

Dave

jolly bill · Post by **jolly bill** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:11 pm

Hi Dave,

My notes on Fox early style 20 gauge A grade SN 200061 has it wearing 26" F and F Chromox barrels.

I could have messed up but I'm stickin' by my notes.

I traded that Fox and a bunch of other Fox iron to Bill Jaqua back on August 4th, 1976 for a nice Fox 16 gauge.

Does Bill H. Jr. still have the gun?

Bill

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:42 pm

I don't know what Bill the Younger kept and what all changed hands along about the time of Bill the Elders passing. I haven't stopped by Cape since January 2003.

Bill the Elder and Bill the Younger with an L-Grade single trap

teflon · Post by **teflon** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:54 am

What would I insure my 20 gauge for?I have not insured it yet.

Fox Collectors

32" BE grade 20 gauge.

32" BE grade 20 gauge.

2nd gen engraving

fox ser# / 2nd gen engraving

Gough-style

32"BE Grade 20 gauge