Fox Collectors

I am the acquaintance of a lady whose husband passed some 4 years ago. The Ansley H. Fox, 16 Gauge, double barreled shotgun remained in a zippered up case under the bed and has been trusted to me to see if I can find out more about the piece. Before the husband passed, he had a number of long guns that he let go however he chose to keep this one. I am curious as to why? I was looking in the types and trying to ascertain what type of Fox this is but I haven't found a similar scroll pattern in the graphics. It is possible that I missed it? I would like to submit a few pictures, more are available on request. I am hoping that you folks can help me figure out what it is that we have here. Thank you in advance.

Continued ...

No expert but it is obviously a Savage Era gun and an AE grade in really nice condition. If you pop the forend off and take the barrels off you should have markings on the water table telling you what you have. Being a 16 gauge it would be a nice addition to any collection in my opinion.

Nice 2nd generation A grade.

The condition is near new condition. It appears a few corrosion spots on the barrels and minimal wear on the trigger guard tag. It was used very little. Straight grip adds to its desirability to collectors in addition to the high condition. The fact that it has factory 25" barrels is also a plus. It was one of the latest 16ga A's made. I would value it at $6000.-$7000. if there are no hidden sins like bad corrosion, cracked wood etc.

Moved topic to Fox forum.

Very Nice gun!

Great example from the last dozen graded 16-gauge guns made. The one thing I notice is the roll-stamping on the barrel is backwards. Normally the SPECIAL ALLOY -- FORGED STEEL is on the right barrel and SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION UTICA,N.Y. U.S.A. is on the left. Normal markings on 303838 --
The markings on 303864 --
Also, appears to be about an inch long dent in the side of the rib above the L in STEEL.

I was asked about the ejectors and 1 post mentioned barrel details. I hope the pictures will offer more detail. Thanks.

Researcher wrote:Also, appears to be about an inch long dent in the side of the rib above the L in STEEL.

I was just looking at the rib on top in between the barrels. The rib is tapered descending from the receiver to the muzzle. Although I'm not a smith or expert by any means, when looking from the side of the gun there doesn't appear to be a dent.

Beautiful gun, and I’m sure many of us are drooling. Dave is probably referring to the circled part of the rid.

Jeff S wrote: Dave is probably referring to the circled part of the rib.

Thank you. I have attached another photo of the area.
I pulled the gun out of the case and I did see what was being pointed out. It looks like a small dent in the rib. There doesn't appear to be any collateral defects in the immediate area as if some type of trauma occurred.

You might want to take off the barrels and set them horizontal on a table, then put a drop or two of a light fluid like rubbing alcohol in the "valley" between the rib and the barrel tube, adjacent to that damage on the rib. Also on the opposite side. See if it drains into the void that's underneath (between the tubes) before the alcohol evaporates. It should not. This will test the integrity of the solder joints at that damaged portion of the rib. Any knowledgeable Fox guy or gal will wonder about that when looking at this Fox. frank

I'm wondering if Savage let one slip out the door that was made with a part that had an existing dent.

That late in production, they might have been pushing stuff out the door with a shrug from quality control.

Savage has sent their old records including the A.H. Fox production cards to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. One can get a letter from the information on the production card from them.

https://centerofthewest.org/explore/fir ... ds/savage/