12 Gauge - A.H Fox - XE - VERY RARE - Crossover

[griffinowen98]

A.H Fox XE 12 Gauge Crossover. Has original fox barrel, stock has been extended and has modern pad. Has 2nd Barrel from Savage Arms post acquirement of fox Ordered by Abercrombie and Fitch for Canadian Pacific Rail Land Commissioner Frederick Thomas Griffin in 1916 and then returned to the factory for modification as a crossover by his son, Grain Merchant, Gerald Hamilton Griffin.

Gerald was a spy in Russia during WWI and was honoured with the “Military Cross” Canada’s second highest military honour. He returned with cataracts necessitating modification to his beloved Fox.

The Griffin family was among the earliest immigrants to North America when they landed in Flushing, New York in 1635. The Flushing Remonstrance; which is the precursor to the modern Constitutions right of religious freedom, is signed by Edward Griffin.

Richard Griffin, was an United Empire Loyalist, and in his loyalty lead him to leave the U.S. following their annexation of British authority. Upon moving to Canada a Griffin married Mary Smith and erected Smithville, a town in Ontario with current population of 5,500.

Ebenezer Griffin and his sons established the town of Waterdown, Ontario which has since been amalgamated with the City of Hamilton.

His son James Kent Griffin invented; train coupling devices, spinning mills, and “Griffin Road” in Hamilton.

Frederick Thomas Griffin son of James Kent served as Land Commissioner of CPR and Canada North West Land Company. A hamlet in Saskatchewan bears his namesake in his honour.

Gerald Griffin was a prolific sportsman and commodities trader. WWI Decorated Veteran. He passed the gun to his grandson Steve.

Steven Owen; grandson of Gerald, raised by Gerald and his wife Kay. Married daughter of Doug Groff, Ducks Unlimited President 1980. He passed the gun to my father.

https://www.gent.name/sask:towns:griffin:start
https://flamboroughhistory.com/tag/griffin/
https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/ ... Gail_Whyte
http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/groff_dc.shtml

[44whiskey]

griffinowen98,thank you for posting this very interesting Fox,also for provenance.any chance you could post additional photos showing full cross over stock. welcome to AHFCA. regards Fred

[griffinowen98]

griffinowen98,thank you for posting this very interesting Fox,also for provenance.any chance you could post additional photos showing full cross over stock. welcome to AHFCA. regards Fred

There you are!

[44whiskey]

Thank you for those additional pics,have you shot it?Fred

[Jeff S]

Very interesting. Thanks!

[Researcher]

Interesting gun and great family genealogy. Interesting that while the frame has no rebates next to the top-tang, the trigger plate has the rebates next to the lower tang.

Two XE-Grades in this range that I have pictures of 22088 and 22458 have no rebates top or bottom.

[jolly bill]

Nice looking and very interesting XE12. Quite a history.

Thanks for showing us.

And by the way, in addition to the two XE12's that Researcher posted, SN's 22088 and 22458 that don't have top or bottom rebates, SN's 22416 and 22456 are heads down XE 12's and don't have the top or bottom rebates either.

[eightbore]

Great gun. If I weren't up to my ears in crossover guns, I would try to own this XE. However, one more couldn't hurt. Bill Murphy

[44whiskey]

do rebates serve any function or are they cosmetic,thanks Fred

[jolly bill]

do rebates serve any function or are they cosmetic,thanks Fred

Hey Fred,

I think mostly cosmetic, but it may provide some support and benefit to the inletting.

Some thoughts by our more technically inclined members might be helpful.

Jolly

[scaupman]

Interesting gun and history - thanks for posting.

[Double O]

Wow, Very interesting!

[bbman3]

I have even seen rebates on higher grade smallbore forend irons.owned three with the rebates. Bobby

[TOOL MAN]

Ahhhhh, one look at that deeply chiseled engraving and head-down vulpine screamed
a 22,XXX gun!! Thanks for sharing and for the detailed genealogy.

[eightbore]

OK, I give up. I need another crossover gun.