Fox Collectors

Is McIntosh's book worth purchasing ?

.........depends how much you want to know....or not know about Fox shotguns. Sure as heck aint alot of money in the grand scheme of things.

It sure isn't much of a reference on Fox guns----- if you want to learn about Fox cars and who married who--go for it.

HardCash wrote:Is McIntosh's book worth purchasing ?

If you are knew to Fox collecting, as I am, I found it useful... I did not care as much about the personal side but it was still interesting. I think for the $30-40 you can buy it for on Amazon its worth it.

I read the whole thing before I bought my first Fox... it helped keep me away from guns that I would not have been as happy with... helped me recognize what was "right" and "wrong" from at least a novice prospective.

I do wish someone would write a more detailed book about production guns... what serial number ranges have what characteristics, what changes, when it changes, when different models were offered, etc etc etc. It would be nice to have that all in one source. Similar in a nature to "the Ninety-nine" by Doug Murray.


Hardcash... where are you from in MO? I live in St. Louis.

Laxcoach, let me give a quiz of my own making on Fox shotguns to ten average gun guys, then let them read the McIntosh book and I'll give them the quiz again. I'm no McIntosh fan, but the book is a lot better than you make it sound. I don't know who you are, but I'll bet years ago you learned a lot from the McIntosh book. I think it was quite interesting to learn who married who, oh excuse me, it's who married whom. Why wouldn't you want to learn about the car?

HardCash wrote:Is McIntosh's book worth purchasing ?

Yes.
It is very well written, and a good starting point for the different models, versions, and configurations of Fox guns. I got (became) interested in Super Foxes this past summer and Mr. McIntosh's book was my go to place for getting up to speed.

I found it well written, interesting and informative. And any book that has Bill Headrick's photography in it is worth the price.

Bill,
I hope I didn't offend you with my opinion, and agree with your analogy. But, when I read a gun book I expect to read (and learn) about guns. IMHO, this book falls far short of-- for example-- Brophy and Houchins on Smiths, Walt on Ithacas, and the Parker publications. I've learned much more about Foxes from this forum than McIntosh's book, and I'm not into geneology !
BTW, we've met several times,and you are the one who kindly enlightened me on my Ithaca Field Skeet 20--- Thanks !

I hope I won't offend anyone with my reply. This is just my opinion FWIW. Yep you might say the MM book has some extraneous info in it - depending on your personal interests - but I'm thinking even if 1/4 of its pages had good production and technical info it's worth well over what the book is going for. I can't say how many times I've seen questions here and I think "gee that's in MM's book, why hasn't this Foxer read the book?" Questions like length of the XE type forends, changeover date to Gough inspired engraving, change from Krupp to Chromox barrels, barrel weight parameters, how the smallbores came about, gents looking for pics of certain features, bore and choke sizing for Supers, etc. etc.

Maybe that's a commentary on on today's "instant pudding" society. Don't do homework yourself and just get the info by asking someone else. Certainly there are times that's necessary but it seems that's the first course of action by some. Somehow to me that doesn't fit with these guns we love, the hopes and aspirations of Ansley, struggles of the fledgling company going up against the big boys, simpler times when these guns were built, and the steel and wood they were built with, no CNC machine tools, polymers, laser barrel convergence checks.

Like Marshfellow said, in the whole scheme of things the book isn't that much money. Get a copy and once the hunting seasons are over take a few pages per night and do some real reading. I'm thinking many will enjoy most of, if not the whole story.

One more plug for those who aren't yet members of the AHFCA. Since getting started our newsletter has many articles of great interest, both historical by Dave, hunting oriented by Paul, and technical by Craig, TJW and others. I'm working from memory here so if I missed anyone please excuse me. The newsletter archive is in the Members Forum and is well worth looking at when you have time to read. Membership info is on the home page. Silvers

I purchased McIntosh's book for my fatherbecause he is so proud of the CE that he owns. I read the book before my father and found that the gun that he owns was actually mentined in the book. MM states that he had never seen it.Through a friend of mine in Michigan who knew a guy who knew a guy that had McIntosh's phone #. I called him and found him to be very down to earth and we talked for hours. I sent him some pictures of the CE and he was very excited.
My father had no idea about the little Fox until he read MM's book and he was very excited. I joined Fox Collectors because of MM's book and I have met some great people on this site and in person.
Is Michael McIntosh's book worth it?
It definintley was for me!

AL

I read the book and found that I had the original set of barrels for Fox #35 in my junk box. I had no idea how to find the gun and there it was, right in front of me. With some serious prodding, MM helped me to find the owner. With a whole bunch of prodding, I got the barrels back together with the gun and its recalcitrant owner.

Aside from what has been said, MM's book and this groups membership are the most readly available source of Fox info.