Assessing a good buy or not?

[yankee57]

Hi, I'm new to this site and the Fox world but love collecting old SXS's. Could use some more experience in my assessment, I recently came across a Fox 12ga C grade SN 195xx stainless steel Krupp stamped on barrels. gun looks brand new except for some stock scrapes and marks, receiver looks more like chrome with engraving than what I'm used to seeing. I am assuming the gun may have been restored given condition also just a slight bit loose on the action? the price is $2650 my research indicates that this gun should range between $2600-$2000 depending on excel or VG. would stock scrapes make it VG? Am I on the right course? How do I factor in restoration to value? and what if it is original?

[bbman3]

Glad to have you! I have never seen barrels stamped stainless steel.Krupp yes.Do you mean barrels are highly polished and look like stainless? Good pictures of the gun will really help. Bobby

[yankee57]

Hi Bobby thxs for the reply, sorry it's stamped Krupp Fluid Steel made by AH Fox. Gun just looks too sic & span for its age, very shiny receiver, barrels deep blue and unblemished not sure the price matches this fine condition. what am I missing?

TD

[DGKaas]

Many Fox action appear bright when the case colors fade. However, the key to assessing the value of a C grade is the state of the very fine engraving typical of that model. (I've probably owned 10+ of them over the years) If the engraving remains sharp and the barrels are in sound condition, I would buy every C grade I could find for $2500 that didn't have 3" or more D@H and/or short barrels. If the engraving is worn or pitted, they are not worth the trouble as they are fairly common in 12 gauge. I don't know where you do your "research" but $2500 won't buy you much of a C grade even in today's soft market. Best of luck.

[yankee57]

thxs for your insights.

TD

[yankee57]

any tips on identifying restoration on this gun and the impact on value?

[Stan Hillis]

You got very good advice from Lawyer Kaas. One thing I'd add, concerning the blue on the barrels, is A H Fox guns seem to hold their blue better than most other guns, IMO. Fox evidently had the barrel bluing down pat, as I have seen many Foxes with original barrel blue that was higher condition than the other finishes on the gun. I can understand how someone new to Foxes could think that the bluing had been redone, when it was really original.

SRH

[eightbore]

Need good pictures