Looking for info on a Utica NY fox....another ? Post 46

[Weatherby]

Figured I may as well ask this also.
On the card the gun started as a 28" full full

It is now 26 1/4 the question is on the cut was the job done well?

[Silvers]

Your pic doesn’t have enough clarity to verify the area between the tubes. If done properly the top and bottom spaces would have steel “keels” that were fitted and closely soldered in place. Lesser gunsmiths usually filled the two spaces with solder. A better pic that’s in focus can tell which it is.

Also a good top view pic (looking down) can tell if the tubes were cut square or cockeyed.

[Weatherby]

Thanks Frank

I'll see what I can do.

[Weatherby]

That picture was bad....lol
Any better ?
Last one is out of focus but may have what you asked about ?

[Silvers]

Center pic - from that view both muzzles look to be very slightly angled backward relative to the rib. Maybe 1-degree or so. Point of impact (POI) testing on paper, average of at least 3 shots per barrel, will tell the story if the muzzles are OK.

The sight is centered = good.

I still can’t tell if the muzzle voids were fitted with keels. Maybe someone with a large monitor can expand that last pic and comment?

frank

[Weatherby]

I'm trying Frank....lol
Not very good ....but trying.
I actually think one is clear.

[Silvers]

Paul, the muzzles look nice and straight in the first pic. Second one still isn’t definitive on the presence/absence of keels but that’s probably a moot point since you cited the barrels are 26-1/4” and the Record card shows 28”. If solder was used to fill the voids after cutting and if it appears well bonded it should stay put. I'll post a pic of a Fox muzzle sans the keels on the Members Forum. P.S. the bores at the chokes look slightly elliptical in the horizontal plane; maybe that's just a visual effect from the camera you're using. If not they can be easily made round by a good double gunsmith.

[Researcher]

Fox would at times take a gun from inventory and cut the barrels to fill an order. Check out the Card of the Month Archives in the Members Only area and look at the card for December 2017.

This gun is from the first batch of a dozen or so 20-gauge SP-/SPE-Grades. With the SP-/SPE-Grades being introduced in June 1932, in the depth of the Great Depression, weren't moving real fast.

[Weatherby]

Thank you again Sir/David.
I will.

I did and I'm thinking the way it's choked I have an "interesting" gun

Regards
Newbie/Paul

She hasn't sung for me yet but I think her pipes are good.
Yes I know my pictures aren't great but I try.

[Weatherby]

I'm still hoping to find more out about this gun in time.
The dealer who sold it to me I'm very friendly with.

It was too busy when I was asking about the guy
who brought it in but he does occasionally frequent his shop so hope remains.
He does Bring odd savages in to him.

I've picked up savage R&D guns and plan to ask if it's him that brings them in.

It will make no difference to most but I like the history aspect.

I also asked about his old shotgun shells and for the record he said soon.





.

[Foxnut]

Weatherby, great gun and one that you’ll thoroughly enjoy shooting. Will be a great grouse/woodcock gun!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!

[Weatherby]

Thanks Sir definitely my pleasure to share and learn some about it. I was very surprised to find out just how old it was and that it was such an earIy one. I Still plan to try and find out more about it. I'm hoping my dealer can convey to the seller An interest in what he knows of it's history.

Particularly the stock.

[gunut]

a lot of unusual things could be possible if it was originally an employee purchased gun.....looks to me to be a keeper....and bluebird day hunter..

[Weatherby]

Well I figured I'd update the thread.
I finally brought it out for a function test yesterday.
I brought some old paper shells and tried 6 all failed to fire. The strikes looked a bit weak to me.

I put some kroil into the firing pin holes and let it sit until today. I also brought a bit more modern shells and got the bang from both barrels
I think it's been a long time since this one's been out to make some noise.
It shoots true as well.
Can't wait to let my son try it on some birds.

[Foxnut]

Glad to hear that she fired. Those old shells may have been the issue vs. the gun itself. Careful on over doing the oiling internally as I am sure you know. You better get that gun on some grouse/woodcock!!