Cheek panel checkering

[Stan Hillis]

This is something that I have never seen discussed, that I can recall. I have noticed, for many years, the inconsistencies in cheek panel checkering on Fox guns. The border around the checkering itself is many times not evenly spaced with the edges of the cheek panel itself. There also seems to be no consistency to the distance between the border and the edge of the cheek panel. I don't know how to copy a picture and paste it, but there is a new thread here on this particular forum ("How bad?" is the title of the thread) that exhibits the first inconsistency I mentioned. It is simply "catty-whonkered". It is an extreme example, but there are a great number that just aren't anywhere near properly spaced from the edges. As nice as the engraving is on many of these old Foxes it would seem that the stockers/checkerers would have paid more attention to this. All it takes is a set of dividers to lay out a border that is properly and evenly spaced from the edges, and pleasing to the eye, instead of an eyesore. It really detracts from the appearance of the gun to me. I would rather see the panel not checkered at all than done poorly.

I am a Libra, and I have always been very aware of things that look out of square, out of balance, crooked, or not hanging straight. I cannot stand a framed painting or print that is not hanging perfectly straight. Maybe this tendency in me is why the poorly checkered panels bother me so much. Am I alone with this "peeve", or are there others of you who notice this? It is indicative, to me, that the very highest grade Fox guns do not have this "problem". There seems to have been just a lack of consistency and attention to this area on many graded guns, especially the A grades.

SRH

[Jamie243AI]

I don't think the panels on that gun, in the post you mentioned, are factory applied. I believe they were done after the fact and rather poorly.

[Stan Hillis]

That may be true, Jamie. I was just using it as a convenient example of something I have definitely seen on factory checkered Fox guns.

Thanks, Stan

[J.R.B.]

I'm a Libra too Stan and I find crooked things irritating........but maybe you and I are kind of spoiled with the work that little gal in Montana did for us. She sure dolled up that Remington of mine.

[Sporrns]

Stan; one thing that always drives me crazy on restocked guns (mostly Parkers but have seen a few offensive Foxes as well) are the fleur-de-lis "fingers" or "fronds" carved on the stock cheek panels and (on the highest grades) extended down along the grip. The originals had thin, delicate fingers on the fleur-de-lis; so much of what is delivered in a restock turns out to be "fat fingers" and to my eye completely destroys the lines, symmetry, flow, and aesthetics of the stock, most especially on a straight grip gun. I agree 100% with you that most all of this could be accurately laid out beforehand with dividers, etc. and that the omission thereof is a combination of laziness, lack of skill, inattention to detail and just plain sloppy work. With the cost of worthy blanks, and what stockers are charging today there should be no details left unattended to when restocking a gun. Just my $.02. Kevin

[Stan Hillis]

I didn't mean to sound too harsh in my evaluation. I am a dedicated Fox man, and maybe I have too critical an eye about this. I realize that I also do not have the knowledge that comes with experience to make comparisons between very early guns, and late guns, in this area of craftsmanship. It might be enlightening to be able to make that comparison.

My apology if I sounded too critical.

Stan

[Jamie243AI]

I don't think you were too critical at all.