Fox Collectors

Hi folks,

My first post here. I've googled this question but can't find the answer. I have a 99% condition new to me Savage Fox "Series H" 20 gauge with 28" barrels and a serial number stamped on the side of the receiver beginning with the letter "D". I would like to know the chokes and date of manufacture if possible. I bought this on a "whim" online and it has a new, fairly nice straight english stock and splinter fore-end. If this gun was fired it was very minimal, or it was refinished, as the barrels are flawless and black. In any event, I shoot a few different O/U and this is my first SxS and I was looking for a "field" gun which I could bang around with for grouse and perhaps pheasant. I have very little experience (like none) with SxS's and thought I could get in "cheap". Well, she's very utilitarian to say the least, and swings about like a baseball bat. Tip heavy for sure. I've swung a few "real" AH Fox's in the past...well, you get the picture. Not sure if I'll keep it or what, but looking for information so if I part ways I have a better understanding of what I'm selling. Does anyone else keep buying stuff they don't have the time to shoot!!

The only straight gripped Fox Model Bs I know of were the "Quails Fargo" sold by Simmons --



Just to add confusion to the mix, the importer Dakin also marketted a straight gripped Spanish double that they called the "Quails Fargo --



The Savage designed and marketted Fox Model B really has nothing to do with Ansley H. Fox or this organization, but I'll paste in my canned Fox Model B chronology from the various Savage catalogues. The Fox Model B as offered by Savage always had a full pistol grip. --

Fox Model B – The Fox Model B was added to the 1940 Fox catalogue put out by Savage. The retail price was $25. The Model B was offered in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauges and .410-bore, and had a color case-hardened frame. By January 22, 1945, the retail price of the Model B was up to $34.50. After WW-II the Springfield 311 (1947) and then the Stevens 311 (1948 and on) were built on a version of the Model B action. The pre-WW-II Springfield No. 311, as well as the Riverside and Springfield No. 315, the Stevens No. 330, and numerous “trade brand” guns were all built on Steven’s G.S. Lewis’ Apr 20, 1915, patented action.

Through the 1954 catalogue the Model B remained a double trigger, plain extractor, slim forearm utility gun. In the 1955 catalogue Savage added a Model BST which got a non-selective single trigger and a beavertail forearm. The offerings were the same for 1956 thru 1958.

By the 1960 catalogue the B and the BST got ventilated ribs. There were no changes in the 1961 catalogue.

For 1962 a B De Luxe in 12-gauge was added with a satin chrome receiver, white-line grip cap and butt plate, checkered side panels, beavertail, ventilated rib, and gold plated non-selective single trigger. They also gold plated the trigger on the BST. There were no changes for 1963.

For 1964 the De Luxe became the BDE, and included automatic ejectors, and also was available in 20-gauge chambered for 3-inch shells. The B and BST remained unchanged.

For 1965 the B and BST 20-gauges got 3-inch chambers.

For 1966 the satin chrome BDE was gone. There was a BSE with ejectors, non-selective single trigger, satin black finish, white-line butt plate and grip cap, beavertail and ventilated rib. The Model B had double triggers, was case hardened, had a ventilated rib, and now a beavertail. Both guns now featured impressed stamped checkering. For 1967, 8, 9 and 1970 the offerings were the same. The gun control act of 1968 required Savage to start putting serial numbers on these guns.

By 1971 there was a gun called the Savage 550 which was just like the BSE but had a case hardened receiver, and was offered in 12- and 20-gauges. The text said it had precisely engineered barrels resulting in perfect balance. In the picture it appears to be a mono-bloc design?!? Also grip caps are gone from the B and BSE. Offerings for 1972 were the same – the 550 listed at $174.95, the B-SE listed at $164.95, and the B listed at $139.95.

By 1973, the BSE and 16-gauges are gone, but there is a 24-inch barrel B in 12-gauge and 20-gauge, both with 3-inch chambers.

For 1974 the Savage 550 is gone and the B-SE is back. The B-SE 12-gauge has 2 ¾ inch chambers and the 12-gauge B and 24” Fox B have 3-inch chambers. All the 20-gauge and .410-bore are 3-inch chambered. No changes for 1975, 6, 7, or 8. For 1979 the grip caps are back and the double triggered B is offered with ejectors as the BE.

For 1980, cut checkering is back, but the 24-inch barrel offerings are gone – B, BE and B-SE. In 1981 the BE was gone, but the FA-1 and the FP-1 Fox autoloader and pump appeared. For 1982 the Fox offerings were B, B-SE, FA-1 and FP-1.

For 1983 the only Fox offering was the B-SE. The B-SE remained through the 1987 catalogue when its list price was $525. By the 1988 catalogue the Fox name was gone.

Thank you Researcher! I have seen your pasted chronology and history before, very nice. But this gun has 28" barrels and straight stock, and the prior owner said it was restocked by the Orvis custom gunshop. The job is OK, but nothing special. Fair wood, nothing special again. So perhaps it is indeed a re-stocked gun? If it could be balanced out it would be a real solid field gun. Could have the barrels cut down to 26" I suppose but will wait until I find more out.

Post pictures so we can chime in about the "quality" of the restock. This may be a diamond in the rough or even better.

eightbore wrote:Post pictures so we can chime in about the "quality" of the restock. This may be a diamond in the rough or even better.

It's somewhat perplexing to me why there is such a fragmented history on these guns. But this week at some point I will post photos and maybe that will help. Thanks again folks.