restoring yet again

[birdawg]

I have a very early (1X) Fox A grade that has been used and used up for the most part. There is no rust or pitting but it is worn to the point of the checkering and engraving being more imagined than seen. Still the gun especially the stock must have been something to behold. Now it is just a old worn gun, so I am looking for people thoughts on this one.

Below is the stock as it looks now. .http://jessleephotos.com/oldfox/content ... large.html

And here is part of what lies beneath the old and grime with a little photo enhancement.
http://jessleephotos.com/oldfox/content ... large.html
Of course it would be a money pit but I wonder how many guns in the first 20 are original with good condition?

[Machinist]

my 2 cents:

if there is close to zero original finish, checkering and engraving but it is mechanically sound
then it would be a wonderful thing to " restore " it
realizing you most likely would take a financial loss when you sell it
but that wood speaks to me and begs to be glorious from across the room again
maybe a respectful rejuvenation as opposed to a like new restoration? ... I think there are threads about this.
In any case that is one special gun.
best wishes with your choice no matter what you decide

[Researcher]

Maybe 25 years ago, serial number 8 was a nice all original B-Grade with Krupp Heavy Weight barrels when several of us examined it at the Maryland Arms Collectors Association show. The C-grades number 29 and 35 that have made the rounds have both had some "freshening."

[jolly bill]

Jess,

Your photography skills are evident in your pictures. Great looking piece of wood on the stock. Fox put some nice wood on those early A grades.

And you said: "I have a very early (1X) Fox A grade". What is (1X)?? Would that be SN 17 or some such number in the teens?

Would you happen to have some pix of the receiver and barrels?

Yeah, nice wood.

[loggy]

Jess,
Beautiful wood! It looks like IP has en a bit chilly this winter.
John

[birdawg]

Thanks John,
Yes we have escaped to Arizona. I hope to chase a few quail when the roads dry out a bit.

[200052]

Jolly Bill A few days ago you asked a question about the very early serial number guns; say 1 to 20. I too, am
curious as to either the existence or location of the first production guns.
For starters, go back to Wally Beinfield's experiment in gun shows at the Operyland Hotel in Nashville. I believe
two shows in the early 1990's. At that time Hal Hamilton, a Fox collector and car dealer, from Birmingham had 2.
On the side, he also had the only copy of "How To Sell a Gun" that seems to have surfaced: and several of us were
too ignorant to buy it. Number 2 was a bobed barrel A; where did it go? At one of these shows Hal had either number
15 or 17. I have had number 16 for many years, and at that show happened one of my greatest acts of genius. I
refused to give Hal $700/800 for 15/17, which would have given me a consecutive pair of the earliest guns.
Now, who knows anything about the rest of the first 20?

[loggy]

Jess,
Enjoy the sun,
John

[jolly bill]

Jolly Bill A few days ago you asked a question about the very early serial number guns; say 1 to 20. I too, am
curious as to either the existence or location of the first production guns.
For starters, go back to Wally Beinfield's experiment in gun shows at the Operyland Hotel in Nashville. I believe
two shows in the early 1990's. At that time Hal Hamilton, a Fox collector and car dealer, from Birmingham had 2.
On the side, he also had the only copy of "How To Sell a Gun" that seems to have surfaced: and several of us were
too ignorant to buy it. Number 2 was a bobed barrel A; where did it go? At one of these shows Hal had either number
15 or 17. I have had number 16 for many years, and at that show happened one of my greatest acts of genius. I
refused to give Hal $700/800 for 15/17, which would have given me a consecutive pair of the earliest guns.
Now, who knows anything about the rest of the first 20?

You've given us another reminder of what we should have done. However, learning that lesson sure helps the next time we encounter a similar situation. And it surely will happen.
Yeah, where are those early guns?

[birdawg]

I would be surprised if half or more of the first 20 did not reside on the premise of the members of this organization at one time or another.

Mine is #18 A grade 26" it is very well used, worn and loose as it was intended to be after over a century. I think it still has more than one hunt left in it. The gun came to me via the benefactor of AHFC, Bill Harris just before his passing. As I recall Bill said he picked it up off a table at a small gun show. I know at least one more member here has seen the gun and may have more information.