Grease or oil?

[Vernal pike]

This question was posed on another forum, but I ask specifically with regard to the proper care of a vintage Fox.
Years ago when obtaining my first MX8, I followed the advice of Giacomo, the master Perazzi gunsmith, and since then have only used oil on the hinge and knuckle for all my guns.
I'd like the opinion of those most knowledgable on how to properly care for this recent 16 CE acquisition. This is a collector quality Fox.
Grease or oil?

http://www.giacomosportingusa.com/faqs.html

Please let me know what you think.

BTW, got the 16 back from Mitch Schultz. Nice work, I'd recommend him.
Shot it for the first time yesterday and ran 31 straight at low gun skeet, report pairs. Practicing for Ontario grouse next month.
Needless to say, I won't have any stock work done. She's points beautifully just the way she is.

Respectfully submitted,

Vernal

[Twice Barrel]

Grease is a magnet for debris. In a hunting situation where wear and tear on the hinge pin and hook is limited I prefer a good synthetic lubricant with protectant additives like Breakfree or TriFlow (don't know if it is still available). I wipe off the hinge pin and hook and re-apply a few drops after each hunt.

If I were to go to the range to shoot a hundred rounds or more I would us a dab of gunslick or other light grease. Other than that I only use a small amount of grease on the internal mechanism that is protected from the elements after the annual full tear down and cleaning.

[Stan Hillis]

Vernal,

My opinion is this: It doesn't matter if you use oil or grease on the hinge pin if you clean it thoroughly after each use. If you don't, I believe the grease will provide lubricity a little longer. I use Blue Wonder grease on my hinge pins, and I can get it in a little syringe that allows me to place it precisely and sparingly. Nothing wrong with oil either, as long as you don't try to make it last too long per application. Blue Wonder is what my MX-8 gets. I use Rafael Marasaca to work on Perazzis. He is in Va. Beach, Va.

All my best, SRH

[Jim Cloninger]

Vernal, that is some good shooting! I use Krieghoff Gun Glide on the hinge pin of my AH Fox guns. Your 16 CE sounds wonderful. Do you have any photos you can share with us?
Jim

[Vernal pike]

T.B., Stan, And Jim, thanks for your input.
I also appreciate that you have "axed" for pics. In fact, it's a thrill to have you interested in my first Fox. I find it thoughtful and considerate of you and I sincerely mean that. (Initially I thought that "that" ending the last sentence, was a preposition, but I looked it up and it is not, so we are grammatically correct.) Some day I'll learn how to post pictures and put some up.

All of you with a dozen Fox's started with just one, do you remember? Well, I got my one and am now hooked. An HE may be next. I really, really am excited about Fox guns.

I've noticed that most of you on this site are experienced, knowledgeable Fox aficionado's in your own clique who have known each other personally for years, so it's nice for a new person, like me, to get some feedback when asking questions and learning about this new passion. I've had some posts ignored, so when that happens it's easy to give up and go someplace else. The Fox club Board of Directors wants members to contribute and volunteer, but when a new person with enthusiasm doesn't get encouragement it is easier to be apathetic about the whole thing and go on to other interests. If the Board isn't getting the kind of effort from their established members, then it may be an option to harness volunteer and writing support from the newer membership. Just an idea.

My opinion is that the founding fathers should have the perspective of being a "mentor" to new Fox people on the forum for if these newbies are encouraged-they will contribute, and if they are not- they will go away.
I would absolutely love to have one of the founding John Hancocks be a mentor to me in learning of these fine guns and history. Maybe that will happen, maybe not. In any case, wether I decide to continue to be a member or not, I certainly appreciate them ( the founding members) for forming this club and running the forum for the past 8 years. That is a lot of hours on the keyboard.

To those who plug in here often, it is important to please give personal thanks to Craig, Paul, Steve, Frank, Dave, hope I didn't leave anybody out and I don't know their last names, for forming this website which has given us hours of pleasure to y'all for a hobby. Nothing serious, just a hobby. A hobby for those who can only afford a Sterlingworth to those who have Galazan XE's, to those in between. We are all of the same Fox Family. One thing that I've noticed and liked about this site is that you give the same respect to Utica Sterlingworths as you give to graded guns. I noticed that right away and find that commendable.


Fortunately I haven't given up and would consider it an honor to contribute to the club. We'll see how it goes over the next 6 months of my initial membership.

To let "you-ins" (as they say in philly) know, I am a self employed manual laborer (surgeon), so taking a week off work to fly to the NE SxS and help man the Fox booth and contribute to the Bo Whoop set up, is a big deal. We all got reprimanded for not helping at that last shoot, and frankly I didn't appreciate it as well as the scolding we received in the last newsletter. Time off from work is extremely valuable since I get so little of it, and it's expensive. No paid vacation time and I'm not retired. But I'm willing attend and volunteer at the N.E. next year and would enjoy it immensely under the following conditions.
First, I would appreciate it if my, less than interesting, questions were acknowledged by the seniors. All I want to do is learn. I have a moderately high stress job, but it's the only job I know other than working in the steel mills during college, so when I come home at night it helps to relax by reading and researching SxS shotguns. That's what interests me. Some doctors like golf. I like shotguns, shooting, and bird hunting.

Secondly, who ever writes in the newsletter and forum and is responsible for reprimanding the members for not contributing to volunteerism, well, they need to stop. You sound like Jimmy Carter with your misery index. That is no way to motivate personnel. I don't recall who that is but if you are so negative on the whole deal then you need to rethink your position, change your attitude or get out. I'd have to think that " burn out" is getting to this board member, and if that's the case, step aside and relax. Enjoy your retirement and Fox guns and pass the torch. Your written attitude is having a negative effect on the members.. Supporting this club for 8 or more years is a long time. We appreciate all that you have done but Take a break!

Mr. Silvers has been very helpful to me, even though he didn't know it he has given a positive impression and I've learned a lot, so I want to acknowledge him for that and others including Jim, Stan, Murphy, TB, Milrob, researcher etc.
Enough of that and on to more interesting things.



Back to the 16 CE;

On the bottom of the trigger guard is engraved "E.L.D. Jr."
The Callahan letter says that it was delivered to the BH Dyas Co., Los Angeles Calif.
Did some research and found that at the time BH Dyas was the largest department store in the country. Of course Sears was the largest company, but Dyas had the biggest store. At that time Dyas also built a store in the new suburb of Hollywood but the Depression eventually did them in.

I was hoping that the gun had been ordered by a movie star like Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin or Errol Flynn or someone like that, but I can't think of any stars with those initials.
"Technically" the gun doesn't fit me. It's 1.5 inches too short and has zero cast. But it feels so good and I'm shooting it spot-on with no effort.

The gun will be kept virgin. No stock adjustments, no case color re-do, no bluing, nothing!
It's a beautiful specimen.

Where is that Blue Kreighoff Wonder Lube?

Best wishes to everyone!
Vernal