Fox Collectors

What could cause a Fox lever to be left of center when the rest of condition appears original and indicates that it hasn't seen much use?

My guess would be that the opening lever was forced to the left by someone who didn't know how to open the gun. That could have twisted the spindle part of the opening lever, or bend the pivot pin of the yoke.

If the gun is tight, dont worry about it

Thanks for the responses; just trying to get opinions on the possible cause.

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Thanks, but it's not my gun and not going to be. It's a gun I heard about and was curious about how/why this MIGHT have occurred.

Hi fellas,
So how about the learned present here inform the less learned as to why a a top lever goes left of center . Not that the less learned have the skill set to fix it but perhaps gain an understanding of the potential issues involved .
Best to everyone , Jim

I have had high condition Parkers with levers left of center, otherwise tight, and will hold them harmless until I choose to sell them. Short answer, "Don't know".

My go-to Fox BE is about 1/8” left of center and it displays tight lock-up at the breach as well as the flats. Besides actual measurement at the contact surfaces
(which is <.001”), a good test is to close the action “without” the forearm attached and check for any play/movement between the barrels/breach. With the shotgun being 108 years old I have little doubt that locking mechanism has experienced some wear causing the lever being off center…but not enough to produce a loose lock-up.
In an attempt to sustain the contact surfaces and keep further wear in check, I apply a high quality gun grease to the locking lug surfaces and the front pivot point. I seems to have worked out well. I’ve been doing this for about 20 years of use and have experienced no evidence of further wear.