Grade BE Question

[Jeff S]

I have a quick question for the guys that know a lot more about Fox guns than I do. I recently noticed a nice "early" BE for sale online. I don't know if it belongs to a member of this organization, but I thought it looked like a good "shooter". As I mentioned, the gun looked like an early BE. However, on the "flats of the barrel" it was stamped "Model 1916". First, none of my guns have a stamp like that on the barrel, and secondly, I think the last year for first generation B's was 1913. I wondered if the stamp actually said 1910, but the owner clearly said that "model 1916" was on the barrel. Have any of you guys seen this before? Jeff

[vaturkey]

Post some pics if you can. Never seen anything quite like you describe.

[setterspell]

I watched that one too. The 0 in 1910 is slightly double stamped. I could see how it could be read as 1916.

[Jeff S]

Thanks settespell. I thought that might be the case. Now, if you were "watching it" but didn't bid, did something turn you off, or was it not the gun for you? Tom, I saved the same picture that Setterspell just posted, so that's all that I have. Does that "stamp" show up on other Foxes? Jeff

[Researcher]

At the time the Sterlingworth "pin guns" were marked Model 1911, a very few graded 12-gauge guns were marked Model 1910. Actually I've never seen one, but Bill Headrick told me that. The smallbores were referred to as the 1912 MODEL in the early smallbore brochure (as seen in the picture on page 140 of McIntosh's book), but I've never seen one so marked.

[setterspell]

Jeff, l like to watch the auctions like everyone I guess. I dont have much desire for ejector guns, great design, just dont need it.

[Jeff S]

Dave, thanks for the clarification. If I ever see a stamp like that again, I'll know why it's there. Setterspell, I understand you mean about ejectors. Shooting skeet with an extractor gun is just fine (hunting too).