New Britain Fox

[loggy]

Researcher
your gun is a beauty. Not very common.
John

[Foxnut]

Great looking gun and configuration!! Enjoy it!

[Stan Hillis]

Dave, what is going on with that Fox in the first photo? The cheek panels appear to not be well defined at all. I can't even see the outline of the bevel, outside the checkered areas.

SRH

[Silvers]

New Britain Foxes are certainly expensive but they're true to Ansley's design and you get modern metallurgy and a lifetime warranty. You'll also get the very highest quality, and even though hunted, your gun will retain good value so long as you bought one that's classic looking and without oddball features.

On the other hand a moderate custom Fox small bore can be done up for a fraction of the cost of a New Britain gun or of a full race custom Fox upgrade. On the latter, last year I was quoted $10-12K and a queue of two-three years by one of the better current makers. It's just my opinion, but methinks life is too short to be waiting that long.

Just to show both ends of the range, here are two 20 bores - left gun is one of the first XE Grade New Britain Foxes, 2-barrel set, stocked in exhibition Turkish Circassian and engraved by L J Schickl who was one of the original New Britain startup engravers. Check out that diamond section grip. The other Fox is a moderate custom Sterly, converted to straight grip/long tang and stocked in nicely figured black walnut. She's a second full year gun (1914). Take note of the missing "I" in Sterlingworth on the frame panel.

I've bird hunted quite a bit with both of these Foxes, and really, I don't see much difference in carrying and pointing them. You pay the money and make your choice .....

frank

Click twice to expand

[Researcher]

Dave, what is going on with that Fox in the first photo? The cheek panels appear to not be well defined at all. I can't even see the outline of the bevel, outside the checkered areas.

SRH

I suspect some of it is my photography, some of it is Mitzie's refurbishment of the gun in the 1970s, and some just how it is. A couple more pictures of 1733 --

Here is an earlier C-Grade serial number 29 --

and here is a bit later one 2257 --

[vaturkey]

I'm glad CSMC is building them for sure. I think there is a market for those special Foxes that CSMS comes up with and frankly if you want a 28 gauge or a .410 that's the only place to go. Like Frank said, there are other options out there. Folks like Dewey Vicknair, Dan Rossiter, Steven Dodd Hughes (and others) can build a Fox that equals or frankly exceeds what CSMC builds for less money. Couple their stock making and metal work with a quality engraver (Strosin/Gournet/Welch, etc) and you will have something truly special. I venture to say if there is a problem in workmanship the true craftsman will fix it at their cost (not counting misuse/abuse). I'm not sure we've ever had a time where you can literally write the check and get a truly custom fox that will outlast you and your children and most likely your grandchildren.

[Stan Hillis]

Thanks, for those other pics, Dave. It appears it was just the lighting that was "hiding" the shape of the panels. I can see them clearly in those other photos.

SRH

[bamboozler]

Like Frank said, there are other options out there. Folks like Dewey Vicknair, Dan Rossiter, Steven Dodd Hughes (and others) can build a Fox that equals or frankly exceeds what CSMC builds for less money. Couple their stock making and metal work with a quality engraver (Strosin/Gournet/Welch, etc) and you will have something truly special. I venture to say if there is a problem in workmanship the true craftsman will fix it at their cost (not counting misuse/abuse).

I completely agree, Tom.

[Silvers]

I'm at many of the classic SxS shoots in the middle and northeast and often see New Britain Foxes out on the courses, shooting up a storm and that's with factory 2-3/4"shells not the expensive so-called low pressure ones. That New Britain modern metallurgy and lifetime warranty shouldn't be taken lightly. Two years ago a friend was shooting his New Britain Fox on the grouse course at Hausmann's and I ran into him on the way out. He had broken an ejector and since the gun was second hand he wondered how and where to get it replaced. I suggested he talk with the CSMC rep who was set up at the event and actually he left the gun with him. Then something like a week later, he had it back at home with a new ejector and replacement/shipping done gratis.

There's a lot to be said for the full race custom Fox small bores, to include picking out knockout wood, carefully fitted, and selecting unique and striking engraving done by one of the true masters. But will the product exceed or even equal the quality of a New Britain Fox? Not in my book, but I suppose that's in the eye of the beholder.

Food for thought: what happens if you break a 70 to 100+ year old part that's been actuated umpteen times, or pop a barrel rib solder joint? And for those who hunt wild birds in thickets with these guns, those old barrels dent a lot more easily than modern alloy steel tubes. What about nigh unobtainable small bore parts like ejectors? New Britain doesn't sell them or any of its small bore parts.

It's always good to know what you're getting into.

[fox-admin]

I purchased my CSMC Fox XE in 1997 made to my specs. Its been 20 years which is hard to believe. The gun and I have traveled my miles and many places in those 20 years. It has been back to the factory twice once for a broken ejector guide and once to adjust a light trigger pull. Nice guns, I paid $11k they now list for $22K. It's the only gun of mine I hope my son keeps after I'm gone.

[Jim Cloninger]

I like those ducks, Craig!

[vaturkey]

I like those ducks, Craig!

Second that like for sure.

[vaturkey]

I purchased my CSMC Fox XE in 1997 made to my specs. Its been 20 years which is hard to believe. The gun and I have traveled my miles and many places in those 20 years. It has been back to the factory twice once for a broken ejector guide and once to adjust a light trigger pull. Nice guns, I paid $11k they now list for $22K. It's the only gun of mine I hope my son keeps after I'm gone.

Craig, can we see a pic of I assume Quail that's on the other side. Lastly, is the Fox on the bottom head up? Assume it is.

[fox-admin]

Grouse. I kind of remember Tony started with serial number 205500 and my gun was 194th made.

[vaturkey]

Thanks Craig. Special gun for sure.