Fox Collectors

I have two questions on this 20 gauge SW that I found for sale. The first is the unusual color of the receiver. Most receivers on old SxS's such as Fox's and Parkers are silver from wear. This receiver is rust colored. Is this from it not being used much and the case colors turning brown or rusty? The second is the barrels. Do you think by the picture that they have been cut? Sort of looks like it to me as the engraving on the center rib goes all the way to the end.

Unlike Parkers, the rib matting on Foxes typically went right to the end of the rib. What is the length of the barrels?

As for the color of the receiver, it appears to me that a previous owner wanted to preserve whatever case colors were left and applied some sort of lacquer to the frame and this lacquer yellowed and turned brown over time---I could be wrong though.

The best way is to letter the gun, but I guess you're evaluating it for purchase so that's probably not reasonable. The next best way is to measure the length of the choke taper. That should give you a pretty reliable answer. You didn't ask this, but I see that the stock has been refinished but they didn't get all the oil out where the wood meets the receiver. FYI.

The seller emailed me last night and says the choke taper is 2", and claims that the barrels have not been cut. They are 26", choked mod/full. Thanks for the replies. I did not realize that unlike parker, the matting on Fox guns goes to the end of the barrels.

If the left barrel mics out at .025 choke or tighter the barrels most certainly have not been cut.