Fox Collectors

I had a great time today at the Forks Show at the Allentown Fairgrounds. Ran into a lot of Fox enthusiasts while there. I had the pleasure of meeting Witty1, Rick, and his friend Sam. Also met another member who had just made a great deal on a 16 gauge Savage Deluxe SW in nice condition.

12 gauge: I saw several Sterlingworths and 1st and 2nd gen A's and AE's. Nothing to really write home about. Most were cobbled up. There was one mid-20's Philly SW with decent condition but its hrbp was from another gun, not a good factory fit. Price $1350. as I recall. Also saw several smallbore Sterlingworths in varying condition. One 16 gauge Ejector SW, restocked. I don't remember the price. Best smallbore Fox was the 16 gauge SW I cited earlier.

No graded Fox guns higher than A and only 4 or 5 of those. Overall it was a good show as always but the better Foxes seemed to be in short supply. Maybe they went south to Chantilly? Silvers

Silvers
Thanks for the show report! I was hoping to get there on Sat. but work got in the way. The Allentown show has always been a very good spot to find some nice Fox guns at reasonable prices. Maybe next time that DE 16 with straight stock and short open tubes will show up. Paul

Guns shows down this way (middle Tennessee) are pretty sorry as far as doubles go. What are some upcoming shows that are worth going to?

Spyder, the Ala Gun Collectors show is in Birmingham on 3/21. I have never been but heard it is a good show. I do plan on attending, even though turkey season opens 3/14.

Mike

Frank, if I can call you by your first name. I've been reading your posts for a couple of weeks and often wondered while walking around at the show if you may be there being that your from Pa. Wish we could have talked and you could have given me an education. Started with the forum in an effort to try and fix my grandfathers SW that was given to me 22 years ago. My brother blew the right barrel 20 years ago with a slug...I never got to hunt with it. I've purchased two SW in the last 3 weeks and I'm running wreckless without a clue. Could any of you guys suggest a few things to look for or stay away from when purchasing guns. Suggestions on books to read would be a help.

kc, I usually make the Forks Show and maybe we can hook up at the next one. Things to look for when buying an old Fox... the barrel is the heart of the gun, everything else can be fixed relatively easily. When looking at one I'll spend a lot of time checking its barrels. Bore condition, barrels must ring, ribs visibly tight, top rib matting must be good, major dents or creases, no bulges. Any evidence of bore honing or modifications must be checked thoroughly, and to do that you need a good bore micrometer to measure the full length from both ends. I usually have a set of aluminum bore "slugs" made on a lathe in my pocket - to quickly check for oversize bores while at a show. My regular bore mike is in the car if I need it for detailed measuring. Personally I like tight chokes for most everything so that's one of my criteria; side benefit is it keeps me from getting a gun with chokes that were opened cockeyed. If an ejector gun I check for ejector function and timing. Also check for on the face by holding the breeches up to a strong light source. This checklist is the result on making every possible mistake and getting burned in the past. Books? one I can recommend is "Double Shotguns" by Steven Dodd Hughes. It has much good information on rebuilding SxS guns and includes several illustrations of the innards of a Fox and the relationships of its working parts. Since you are in PA I'd also recommend you get to our Bo-Whoop Trophy Event at the NE Side by Side at Hidden Hollow near Montrose. There's another thread here with specifics. There's nothing like hanging out with other Fox nuts for a cram course. Frank

Thanks alot for the reply I appreciate it. I just ordered the book a mere hour after your recommendation. Sorry for dumbing up this forum with my junior request. Thanks again.

K.C. Miller, a Texas NSSA skeet shooter of the thirties and forties, shot the first .410 100X100 in NSSA Nationals competition. It may have been the first 100X100 in any NSSA competition because, in those days, small gauge competition was almost always 50 birds per event. K.C. shot a VHE Parker Skeet with 28" barrels and an Iver Johnson Skeeter. Parker didn't seem to have claimed the win, but I think Iver Johnson did make some claims for K.C.'s big win. That didn't mean that he actually used the Skeeter, but he probably did, or Remington would have made a bit of a stink, I hope. I know this doesn't have a thing to do with a Fox shotgun, but I thought our poster K.C. would enjoy it.

I enjoyed it too Bill.

The Allentown Forks of the Delaware show is always fun, and you never know what you may find. Found two A.H. Fox grip caps one checkered, one address, the vendor just put them out, or that's what he said. The highlight for me was meeting Silvers the Fox Internet Legend.

Best Regards