Just purchased a Fox 16 ga XE

[MilRob]

Someone warned me Foxes were a slippery slope and I should have listened. Just purchased a Fox 16 ga XE. 26" barrels and has unfortunately a crack in the stock. Wish it had longer barrels but I could not pass up the opportunity to buy it. It should be in my hands by monday or tuesday and I will post a couple more pictures then but here are a couple for starters.

[MARSHFELLOW]

Well, ya sure as heck jumped right in with a good one!!!! Congrats!!!

tjw

[TOOL MAN]

Wow.....very cool. Congrats. Do I see a name on the trigger guard? It looks like H. Connelly, perhaps??

[MilRob]

H.H. Swift is engraved on the trigger guard. Sent my money off to get a copy of the card and really interested to see what it says on the card.

[eightbore]

Let us know what the card says and we'll try to help with either Mr. Swift or the original owner, maybe both.

[MilRob]

The engraving is H.H. Swift with Columbus Georgia underneath it. From the brief research I have done it looks like he was a lawyer in Columbus Georgia and was well regarded.

Thanks for the comments and assistance.

When I get the gun in hand I will take some better quality photos and ask for options/opinions on the crack in the stock. Current owner stated he got the gun in that state and said it has been repaired but I dont know the quality of the repair.

[ROMAC]

Great find. I stepped up to an XE this summer and have used it few times since. The only drawback is that it is hard to shoot birds when you are constantly looking at the gun in your hands!

[fox-admin]

WOW!! a 16ga XE rare gun indeed. You can request a card on this forum if you like and we can e-mail you a copy.
Interesting engraving on the barrels wedges----a little more coverage than you normally see during this era.
All the XE seen to be just a little dufferent. Craig

[MilRob]

Sent the money with paypal requesting a card. Just waiting on a reply. Thanks

[MilRob]

Got the card back. Choked Cyl right mod left. 1 5/8 x 2 3/4 x 13 3/4. Weight is stated "Min Light" 26" barrels with air cushion recoil pad. Said the gun was for "Methvin How" and the HH Swift engraving on the trigger guard was requested. Dated Dec 21, 1933.

Here you can see the repaired crack in the stock.



HH Swift Columbus Georgia


Another pic

[fox-admin]

I would have a excellent stock man try to hide and or stablize the crack in the stock a little better, fix a few screws and then just shoot quail with it for another 80 years! It is an it what it is gun--please don't restore--it has tons of character as is. Enjoy it!! Craig

[MilRob]

Craig, That is kind of the thought I have been having with this gun. You have anyone in mind that you would recommend to inspect the stock and address the crack? Only thing I would have to do is lengthen the lop. I can always find a nice slip on pad but I need about 14.5. The other stock dimensions should be fine for me.

[MARSHFELLOW]

Craig is right on with that suggestion.

tjw

[MilRob]

Part of the trouble I had buying this gun was putting a value you on it. You dont see very many XE 16 ga for sale and then the crack in the stock makes it a little tougher. I will be the first to admit my knowledge of Foxes is lacking but I am trying to learn more daily. I know it is tough to judge value by a few pictures but everything appears to be original and untouched. Anyone care to PM me with what they believe to be the value of this gun in todays market? Thanks in advance.

[Researcher]

These barrel markings would indicate a gun a few years later than 1928 --