Fox Collectors

Just got home from the Ohio gun collectors show.Saw a 12 gauge C with a single trigger.A two barrel set at that.Both barrels had been cut.I felt ill.

Oh that just hurts. Why, why why?

A friend of mine owns a 12 ga. “C” with 28” barrels. Sadly, it left the factory with 32” barrels choked full/full. I guess that was the thing to do back then.

That would make me sick as well. Joe, how was the show! Unfortunately I had a family commitment this weekend and was bummed to miss the OGCA Display show!!

The show was pretty good.There was that C grade a couple of 12 gauge A’s, a well used 16 gauge A, and few 12 gauge Sterlingworths on the tables.Nothing outstanding.Most interesting guns I saw were two Marlin 22 caliber Thompson style machine guns.Being a dual member whose Lefevers have begun to outnumber my Foxes I took the plunge and set up a display.

Jeff S wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 7:23 pm Oh that just hurts. Why, why why?

A friend of mine owns a 12 ga. “C” with 28” barrels. Sadly, it left the factory with 32” barrels choked full/full. I guess that was the thing to do back then.

I blame Jack O'Connor. From WW-II to the early 1970s preaching the virtues of his 26-inch barrel doubles from his pulpit in Outdoor Life.

WHO NEEDS SPREADERS!!!!!

I went to an auction on the Eastern Shore of Va about 12 years ago to look at a pile of Foxes and one Parker DHE 20 gauge. Of the 7 guns at the auction every one had cut barrels but one, and that included the Parker DHE 20. The story per the locals who were there, is the fellow had a fleet of good bird dogs and that was Quail country back then and he needed open chokes. Out came the hacksaw. Hacksaw blades are cheap now and they were even cheaper then.

Researcher wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 10:35 am

Jeff S wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 7:23 pm Oh that just hurts. Why, why why?

A friend of mine owns a 12 ga. “C” with 28” barrels. Sadly, it left the factory with 32” barrels choked full/full. I guess that was the thing to do back then.

I blame Jack O'Connor. From WW-II to the early 1970s preaching the virtues of his 26-inch barrel doubles from his pulpit in Outdoor Life.

england had a fad of short barrel shotguns that was promoted by london gunmaker churchill.i think this was started in or around 1915. this lovely sidelock was dubbed churchill xxv, for its 25in barrels, and made end rows in walk up pheasant shooting as well as ring pigeon shooting. aesthetically it looks almost like a coach gun at first glance

beautiful display SPE33, members use zoom feature to get a better look at some fine shotguns

Researcher wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 10:35 am I blame Jack O'Connor. From WW-II to the early 1970s preaching the virtues of his 26-inch barrel doubles from his pulpit in Outdoor Life.

I've followed Cactus Jack's writings on hunting, rifles and shotguns in the Outdoor Life magazine and in his books since I was a teen. He was an honest writer who called things as he saw them and he gave good advice for decades to his many readers. Regarding shotguns JO’C was mainly a SxS advocate and he wrote many pieces about matching the load and gun and its chokes to the game. I admire that he wasn't a collector sort and wasn’t reluctant to hunt or use any of his high grade and custom guns where they might get dinged, scratched or heaven forbid, some of the original finish might get worn. I don't recall Jack ever suggesting or even inferring that anyone should cut the barrels of a SxS. Possibly my friend Dave can reference an article or book snippet where he did that?

On a similar note maybe we can “blame” (or praise) Elmer Keith who was another period writer and a big bore fanatic and advocate of his Ithaca NID 3-1/2” 10-bore Magnum, for influencing the current interest in shooting 10 and 8 bore double guns at clays. frank

Joe, great looking display, well done! I know the work it takes to put together a good display and the accompanying info cards. I’m sure it drew a lot of interest. Brett

Is this the annual OGCA display show? I let my membership lapse after many years. The display show was the hit show of the year when I was a member.

Yes it was.I heard that the number of display tables was down from last year.No selling from display tables but there were probably over 400 other tables to shop from.I came home with a Smith&Wesson model 422 target pistol.I’ve wanted to get into the OGCA for several years and became a member last September.
The gentleman next to me set up a display on the history of cartridges that took him 5 hours to set up.Been collecting information on them for over 40 years.He was rewarded for his efforts with a beautiful bronze Minuteman trophy.

The OGCA display show is always a treat to see. A lot of work goes into the educational displays and there is something for everyone. This is the first one I r missed in many years. I’d like to do a display on Hollenbeck, Three Barrel Gun Co., Royal Arms one of these days.