Fox Collectors

Hi everyone,

I was poking around here a bit and thought I'd sign up. I have an AH Fox A grade in 16 gauge (SN: 3025XX) that I inherited from Grandma - she said she bought it to shoot crows in the garden back in the 30's. I don't know exactly what year it was made (maybe someone can help with that question!), but it was made with 2-9/16" chambers. Apparently Grandma rattled the barrels apart using 2-3/4" shells in it and the top rib separated about 2" from the muzzle, and the bottom rib about the same distance up from the forend lug. About 20 years ago (before I knew any better) I had the chambers opened up to 2-3/4" but I declined to fix the barrels at the time because I didn't have the money.

A few years ago, I decided to dust the old Fox off and get it fixed. I took it to Griffin & Howe, and the smith there did a great job repairing the ribs, and was able to do so without separating the barrels. The original chokes were a tight modified and the tightest full choke the smith at G&H said he had ever seen on a 16 gauge. So I asked him to open them to cylinder and skeet, which he declined to do because he said the barrels were too thin. So I now have IC and light mod chokes. "Just use spreader loads if you want a more open pattern," he said.

The gun weighs in at 5 lbs 12.4 oz. The LOP is a little short for me, so I added a slip on recoil pad. Other than that, the cast and drop is just right.

It's primarily my grouse and woodcock gun. But here's a picture I took last year of my GSP with the Fox and a pair of pheasants.



I also have a Savage Fox Model B in 20ga, but I'm not sure that counts as a real Fox, at least not a collectible one. Although, it's a little unusual because it's an extractor gun with a single trigger and a beaver tail forend. Those are supposed to have ejectors, I think.

There were lots of Fox Model Bs like yours. It was the Model BST, introduced in 1955. Below is my canned Model B chronology --

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.

Thanks - interesting info. My gun is definitely pre-'68 because it does not have a serial number. Sounds like it was made between 1955-1958. It has 3" chambers, but does not have a ventilated rib.

nj gsp wrote:
I have an AH Fox A grade in 16 gauge (SN: 3025XX) that I inherited from Grandma - she said she bought it to shoot crows in the garden back in the 30's. I don't know exactly what year it was made (maybe someone can help with that question!), but it was made with 2-9/16" chambers.

Your Grandma had class anyone with an A grade Fox to shoot crows is just alright with me. Your gun was made in approximately 1927.

Looks like it is in very good condition how about posting some close ups of the receiver and trigger group?

Ok here's some close ups. There are a few spots of rust, the case colors are OK on the sides & top, but not so much on the bottom of the receiver. I don't think Gramdma was much for gun care, and this one spent a lot of time in a corner of a closet.

Your "Granny" had great tastes, I wish mine did!!!! Nice "A". Lee!

great looking Fox and dog! Bobby

Thanks! Here's a picture of my setter, taken last Saturday in Maine. I had a great day - the dogs found 15 birds, I had shots at six and missed them all. I was NOT using the Fox because it was pouring rain all day, but instead used my Browning 525 Field 16 gauge. If the measure of success was to shoot as close as possible to a grouse without hitting it, then I was wildly successful! Yeah I admit it - the Fox is a fair weather gun!