Fox Collectors

Who got the unusual Ansley H. Fox SBT from Albrights?

hun... I saw it but just thought it was a J grade... now I pull out MM's book and realize that is certainly unusual engraving... neat....

just went back... WOW!!! ... serial number is only on the forearm and water table from what I can see and it looks to be 500000!!! No serial on trigger guard or barrel flats...

http://www.gunsamerica.com/userimages/1 ... 723152.jpg

http://www.gunsamerica.com/userimages/1 ... 723150.jpg

Could this be a parts gun built from factory left over parts... the inscription on the rib is interesting...

http://www.gunsamerica.com/userimages/1 ... 723164.jpg

My best guess is it was a prototype. It doesn't have a screw thru the trigger plate. No button to release the top-lever on the left side of the receiver. The receiver isn't rebated to take extensions of the wood at the head of the stock. The top-lever is like those on the doubles, not the big thick heavy one usually found on the SBTs. The rectangular hole in the right side of the receiver for access to the bolt? The adjustable wear plates on the bolting extensions of the barrel. Also, the slot for the forend extension to bear against the cocking slide is longer then on the Fox SBTs I know. And, it appears the bottom of the receiver has a couple of cracks behind that slot.

Finding a Simmons rib on a Fox SBT isn't all that unusual. Seems if they were used a lot those Godshalk designed rib supports came loose. Even one of the Fox SBTs Frank Conley showed in his book, The American Single Barrel Trap Gun, had a Simmons rib.

Still, this is an interesting gun. Wish we knew the real story behind it.

I think I'll use my one free serial number lookup on #500,000. I missed it too, actually had it in my hands but didn't look closely enough. It just didn't turn me on so I put it back on the shelf.

I ran across it when it first got listed and it got my attention as an unusual piece. I noticed a few of the features that Dave noted....not being a real student of SBTs, I missed others he pointed out. The serial number caught my eye....and the name & address looked uniquetoo. The rib threw me. I havent taken the plunge for an SBT yet and that one wasnt going to be the first one for me. Would definately like to know more about it.

tjw

If the purchaser bought it to shoot, Albright's may have it back very soon.