Fox Collectors

About when was the checkering changed to the flat top style on the A grade? I have seen many late 20's A grades (Philadelphia guns) with flat top checkering. Were the early 20's A grades pointed up checkering? Also the late 20's A grades seem to be finished with a lacquer or shellac finish like the Sterlingworth. Were the early 20's A's finished more like the higher grade guns, an oil type finish? Thanks

I think the flat-topped checkering started on the A-Grades pretty early, probably not long after the Sterlingworths came out, though on the A-grades it is considerably finer then on the S-worths. By 1920 the A-grades appear to have a shellac/varnish/whatever finish. My 1913 and 1914 A-grades are oil-finished, but who knows what may have happened to them since they left North 18th & Windrim in the 52 to 79 years before I took charge of their care.

This 1927-vintage A-Grade 20-gauge has flat-topped checkering and a shellac/varnish/whatever finish.

Thank you very much Dave. I kept a copy of your response for my files. I had a dealer tell me that a A grade had been refinished because the checkering was flat. Upon inspection the checkering and finish were untouched. As you say knowledge is power. Craig

My 1922 A 20ga is flat-topped at 20 lpi.

Thanks Mike. My late 20's A grades have 18LPI checkering. Does anyone know when the change was made from 20LPI to 18LPI?? Thanks

Fox-admin My 1915 A grade has fine flat top checkering and what appears to be oil finish. My 1922 A grade has flat top checkering at what appears to be 18 lpi checkering and varnish type finish. Now to confuse us even more My 1923 vintage A has flat top at 20 lpi with varnish type finish. Craig my 1927 gun has 18lpi and an orange-yellow type of finish that I would consider some type of shellac / varnish also.
This is a couple pics of the 1923 gun with a flaking that is most often associated with a varnish finish
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n128 ... ge0022.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n128 ... _00533.jpg

Is the 20LPI A grade a small bore?

I wish !!! its just an old 12 bore. Paul