XE FOX 2 bbl set

[FOXIST]

I picked this XE 12 bore up at the last James D. Julia auction and thought some of you might like these pics for comparison. Paul

[ASavageFox]

Paul,

What a BEAUTIFUL gun! Interesting that the forearm irons are diferent... have you ever measured across the width of the two forearms... the one on the right in your picture looks slightly wider, could be the angle. Also interesting that the checkering is different... I really like that... would make it easier to remember which forearm goes with each barrel.

Last question, what is the stamp near the X on the barrel flats? Looks similar to a stamp taht I saw on a HE recently but have not seen on other graded Fox guns.

Cheers and congrats again, beautiful gun!

[FOXIST]

ASavageFox The symbol beside the grade stamp is what I call the Keystone mark. We think these are some kind of inspector or steel grade marks. The forend is most likely a Savage replacement for one that was lost or broken. If you notice the #2 forend has the anchor wings that to my knowledge were a Savage trait. also the serial being stamped in the wood in the channel between the barrels is Savage style also.The forend checkering is the style I have seen on some late Savage XE grade guns. Both sets of barrels appear to be Philly vintage as does the #1 forend.
Interesting about this gun is the fact that the 28" set of barrels are #4 wt. which would be in keeping with the customers request for the gun to be light weight but the 32" barrels are #3 wt. and are struck heavily to get the gun to balance properly.

[loggy]

Paul,
What a wonderful gun! It sure looks like it has had a good life.
John

[ASavageFox]

Thanks for the info!

Is the "keystone" stamp only seen on the higher grade guns. My experience is pretty limited, especially when it come sot high grade guns but I have only seen that stamp on such.

The difference in case color also seems to tell that the second one might be Savage as that duller colors certainly looks more like the cyanide coloring to my untrained eye.

I also found it interesting to see the difference in engraving on the barrel breeches! The left barrel on the left set, the engraver got very close to where the stamping was... wonder which came first, the engraving or the stamping? Also makes you wonder if each set of barrels was done by different engravers for the sake of time?

Its a beautiful gun and neat piece of americana! Thanks again for sharing pics and information.

[birdawg]

Great find, Paul
I guess I need to travel more. To the right places that is