How much restoration makes sense?

[Orange677]

Hi,

I have finally dug out my old Fox that I inherited several years ago when my father passed. It was his grandfathers gun and he always spoke of getting it restored. Sadly that day never came and it's in my possession. I am strongly considering having the gun restored to its former glory though am wanting to make sure I'm going into this with eyes wide open. Here is where I would reach out to you folks for advice on how much restoration on this gun makes sense.
Here are the positives as I see them:
1. This is one of the Philadelphia Arms Fox guns and they didn't make too many of them. The model is 886 or 988 depending on how you look at it. Not sure exactly which way this should be determined. The number appears on all pieces of the gun hence nothing has been separated.
2. As far as I can determine everything is original. The but of the stock cracked off, though in true hillbilly style it was put back on with tape and a leather covering.
3. While there is some surface rust, it looks like the metal is in pretty good condition considering the age and that it spent many years in a basement gun rack.

The Negatives:
1. This is only an A grade gun. No fancy bird dogs or intricate metal engravings.
2. The wood is worn in pretty well. This was definitely a much used hunting gun and the checkering on the forearm is all but gone.
3. The stock is busted. I'm hoping it could be glued together with dowels but not sure.

I've included pictures. This is one of those things that would be a restoration for sentimental purposes. I would use the gun for trap shooting and maybe duck hunting but reality is it would be something I could enjoy just knowing it's a family heirloom.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[OH Osthaus]

the serial number is 988 i think-

the metal finish can be cleaned up with hoppes and a frontier pad

http://www.exploreproducts.com/big45-fr ... leaner.htm

it won't harm the finish

personally- if the rest of the wood is solid- i would send it to some one to repair it and keep the family history

[Jeff S]

Oh Boy! You are about to get a whole bunch of suggestions. But, they'll be very good ones. My uneducated opinion is this.... You won't every recoup the cost of restoration, so you should only do it if you really like the gun. What I mean is, if you like the way it is configured (barrel length and choke), then go for it. If it's going to be your "go to gun" for hunting and shooting, by all means, get it restored. If you're not going to use it regularly, then invest the money in a different gun that suits your needs. However, this is only my opinion, and sometimes I don't even follow my own advice. Jeff

[Researcher]

Comparing the reading of the serial number to other Philadelphia Arms Co. guns I have pictures of, the serial number on the watertable and the bottom of the barrel lug is 988. Most of the guns I have pictures of the way the serial number reads on the forearm iron it would be 886. But at least one other gun, serial number 526, is stamped the way this gun's forearm would read 988. Is the serial number engraved on the trigger guard back strap?

As far as restoration goes it appears the stock was already pinned at the head, where it had split, and the pin or screw is covered with a wood plug. I'm sure a good wood man could make the existing wood presentable, and probably suitable for a bit of shooting. A "proper" total restoration to make it look like a new gun by one of the quality restoration services (Doug Turnbull, Brad Bachelder, etc.) would probably be at least four grand. Proceed cautiously, and by all means don't let Bubba the ham fisted local 870 parts replacer anywhere near the project.

How long are the barrels? Info I'd like to include with this gun in my table of observed Philadelphia Arms Co. Fox doubles.

[vaturkey]

I'd have the stock repaired and what I call a working finish put back on it and the checkering recut. I think beyond that I wouldn't do much. Have a good barrel guy check it out and measure the barrel wall thickness and assuming mechanically its fine I'd get some RST's and have some fun with it. PS. I think it looks like the metal work is pretty decent still. Agree some light cleaning on the metal work with some Hoppes and a Frontier pad and then lightly oil the outside to prevent any future rust. Neat gun. Wish it belonged to someone in my family.

[Orange677]

Thanks so much for the replies. I am thinking that the approach to do light DIY on the barrel with letting a pro do the stock repair and rechecking.
Do you folks have any recommendations for places that do this kind of repair work ? I'd like to keep the integrity of the old wood but basically make it look Purdy. I'd also like to take it to the local club for some trap shooting. I'm thinking it's a 28 inch modified choke which works fine because I'm a slow shot

I took a picture of the serial number behind the trigger guard. Funny how it looks like a 886 there (took the pic as 988 and it looked wrong). I was quite confused when I saw so many pictures that had the serial number in a different direction on the forearm, especially combined with the trigger guard one.

Thanks again, this is a wonderful forum and the guns I've seen are absolutely amazing. It makes me quite proud to own one of these beauties.

[eightbore]

988

[Mike of the Mountain]

How much restoration makes sense? Whatever you are willing to spend is what I say. As Jeff S said, keep in mind you will not recoup any $$ that is above the market value. But, if you want to restore the whole thing, go ahead. It's your gun and have fun with it!!

[oldr31]

Looks to me like a DIY job, at least for your purposes. Clean up the metal with OOOO steel wool and if you don't like the patina hit with some Oxpho Blue. Stock repair is pretty straight forward if you have any woodworking experience. Then strip and refinish. What you do with the checkering is up to you. It's an old gun, so why try to make it look new? I'd worry about the inside of the butt stock. It might be oil soaked. It looks like there are some cracks, but they can always be repaired (think Accraglass or Epoxy).

You say it is important as a heirloom and you only want to shoot it once in a while so why spend money to "restore" it. If you fix it up yourself, it will mean an awful lot to you every time you pick it up.

Just my thoughts, for what they are worth.

R.

[Orange677]

@oldr31 You know I think that's the best idea for my purposes. The more I think about it the more I see a story with each battle scar the old girl has on her. I think I'll go with some simple home repairs with a mind on not messing up the foundation should I ever change my mind. I think I can pretty it up enough to still be a very interesting piece, while keeping the family heritage and while sending it away for a full restoration would return a beautiful gun; it would probably be unrecognizable as the one I sent away. I never met Great Grandpa but considering his fix was tape and a leather butt pad that held everything together, I'd imagine if I went too far he'd say it was too pretty to shoot and a waste of good money!

Thanks for the advice. I love a project and this will truly be a labor of love!

[Bill Graham]

Been in the same boat, trying to make a wise decision on how much to put into projects. I've gone the DIY route most of the time, and looked at each as an opportunity to learn something new. I've learned how to repair extractor guide pins, rust blue barrels, steam out some stock dents, and replace some broken parts. None of them were ever undertaken to get money back from my efforts. To me it was about making something useful again, and paying "tuition" of sorts as I learned new things. Thankfully I haven't ruined anything yet.

Good luck.