Barrel Markings

[Jeff S]

One aspect of Fox Guns that I have not learned yet, is how to interpret some of the markings on the barrels. In this picture, it looks like SB 8 is stamped on the barrel. Does anyone know what that means? Jeff

[Researcher]

It is actually SB&Co. which stands for Sanderson Brothers & Company, one of the many outfits that supplied rough barrel tubes to A.H. Fox Gun Co. Other markings one might find are LLH, a large D with a three-lobed crown over it and of course on the earlier guns Krupp markings. After The Great War, Krupp was somewhat out of favor with many Americans and I have seen a couple of graded Fox guns roll-stamped CHROMOX on top of the barrels with slight vestiges of Krupp markings underneath. CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL and STERLINGWORTH FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL were just A.H. Fox Gun Co. made up names for their steel barrels, just like Parker Bros.' Trojan, Vulcan, Parker, Parker Spec., Titanic, Acme & Peerless and Hunter Arms Co. Armor, London, Pigeon Nitro, Nitro & Crown, etc.

Dr. Drew has written extensively on this subject.

[Jeff S]

Very interesting Dave. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Jeff