Pair of Foxes

[3birddogs]

Just picked up this pair of Utica Foxes. A 20 ga and 16 ga SW. The 20 ga has about 50% case colors and has 28" barrels choked cyl/mod. The 16 had barrels cut to 26 1/2 but still has alot of choke( tight IC/ IM). I thinkthe 16 will be my new everyday gun. Question, when did they stop putting grip caps on the SW? I have 2 16's with grip caps , and 2 20's w/o grip caps.

[Researcher]

There is no fixed date. The Fox-Sterlingworth with the capless pistol grip is first pictured in the brown art-deco 1937 catalogue, but they seem to be found pretty regularly from about 1935 to the end of prodution, but you are just as likely to find capped pistol grips in that era as well. Also, one sees way out of period guns with the capless pistol grip that were restocked by Savage at some point in time. That is not an original buttstock on that gun with the capped pistol grip.

[3birddogs]

To educate us, what do you see that would tell you the gun has been restocked,other than the obvious difference in the checkering pattern.

[Twice Barrel]

In addition to the wrong checkering pattern the grip cap is not correct for a Savage period gun.

[bbman3]

Plus the comb nose is fluted.someone could have remodeled the original stock and recheckered it. Bobby

[3birddogs]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I bought the 16 purely as a shooter and it will probably become my rainy day or beater shotgun. Haven't had a chance to get it out yet. I may have the rt. barrel opened up a bit.

[DSizemore]

Does this mean the A grade 16 will be coming my way? Nice guns Harold.

[3birddogs]

No, sorry Dave, I think I will hold on to that old girl. I did send DR from Pa. your way and I hear he bought a gun-would a finders fee be appropriate? Also traded a16ga Smith field grade that never did any thing for me for a neat old Francotte 12 ga. that weighed less than the Smith. It has sling swivels, cheek piece, and gold arrow cocking indicators. I do have another 20 ga Utica Fox that may end up trading material if I find an A grade 20.

[DSizemore]

Finder's fee, huh? Yeah...how about I treat you to one "Fob's Special."

[MARSHFELLOW]

FINDER'S FEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tjw