AH Fox AE Grade

C6S1C · Post by **C6S1C** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:48 pm

Hi Folks, I have recently aquired a AH Fox AE grade. S/N of around 29XXX. It is a 12 gauge with 30" barrels...# 1 weight barrels. I believe that it is from 1923. The blueing is outstanding and it has some strong remaining signs of case coloring left. Wood is very good condition....light handling marks but no cracks. The screws have not been touched. All original demensions with a period recoil pad. It has the deep Gough-style engraving that was commom for that year. I guess the only fly in the ointment is some pitting in the barrels. Any way to fix that?? Don't touch?? Ideas??? I know without pictures it is hard to say what it may be worth but I was sure what the going prices were for these are now days. Any help, direction, or opinions on value are appreciated. I am fairly new to the " Old Classics " Thanks. C6S1C

jmc · Post by **jmc** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:14 pm

I have an AE 12b from same year (by SN) with 30" #1 weight bbls in original condition. Depending on where and how deep the pitting, you may be able to have them honed without having to worry about losing necessary barrel wall thickness. Those #1's can be pretty stout. It would be worth discussing with a competent barrel smith. I see you are in New England so you may want to contact Mike Orlen who is in MA. I'm having the chambers on mine lengthened to 2.75" and chokes opened up to IC/M and will use it primarily for duck shooting.

Good luck!

jmc

TOOL MAN · Post by **TOOL MAN** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:42 am

Welcome C6,

I would strongly second, JMC's advice. Call Mike Orlen (ph# 413-256-1630) He has done a lot of work for me and many other Fox comrades on this site. I highly recommend him. His turnaround times are exceptional. If those pits are not too deep, I bet he can remedy the situation. Good luck.----TOOLMAN

C6S1C · Post by **C6S1C** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:18 pm

Thanks folks, I have emailed Mike Orlen directly. Any idea of the gun's rough street value ???

Thanks in advance, C6S1C.

eightbore · Post by **eightbore** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:40 pm

I would be scrubbing at those pits for awhile before I sent my gun and my money out of town. Oil soaked emery cloth on a rod will do things you won't believe in some cases. Just don't quit after fifteen or twenty passes. Have patience. If you don't see the results you want, go to a coarser emery cloth.

Chuck Heald · Post by **Chuck Heald** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:24 pm

Frankly, I don't see the big need to remove pits from bores of vintage guns unless you are having some definitive problems.

Vintage gun owners/collectors are quick to poo-poo refinishing stocks and metal, yet everyone is quick to hone out pitting.

I've shot one gun for years that has moderate pitting and not had any problems. Clean often and use a teflon oil to coat the bores and I think light to moderate pitting can be nothing to be concerned over.