Fox Collectors

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and had a couple of ?s for the group if you'll oblige me. I've been shooting a Merkel 1620 for grouse near my home in Virginia and while I love the gun, recently found a Fox 16ga SW at a local shop. It was the first Fox I've handled and came alive in my hands. I purchased for $1650 including tax.
No pix to post yet, but here is a description:
28" #3 bbls mirror bores choked M/F, marked Philly, bluing 95%, no dings
Action very tight w/ lever far right of center, case color ~85%, clear markings
Stock has what must be orig Hawkins Pad; guessing LOP ~14" DAH ~2.75 (again crude guess), no cracks, chips. Don't see varnish just nice old patina rubbed oil finish. Pistol Grip cap is the beveled type without the AH Fox logo.
Serial No is 350,74X. Following the link to the dbl gun site I see that production for the 16ga SW starts at 351,000. Am I correct in assuming this gun was made the year before and one of the earlier ones? I haven't tried to measure the chamber lengths-what would they have been coming from the factory?
Was price fair? I bought this for a shooter and want input re having the chokes opened up for grouse-should I or shouldn't I? It's staying the way it is now for pheasant hunt in a few weeks in North Dakota. . .
Sorry for the lengthy post, but figured you all would be the ones to help.
Best,
Bill

Hello Bill, welcome to the forum.

The dating chart on the doublegunshop site is a little confusing. The 16 SW production started in 1913 and the LAST gun that year was estimated at s/n 351,000. That would put your SW at approx. mid-1913 production. I think you paid a fair price for your gun in that condition. The Hawkins pad may not be original to the gun but it sure sounds "period". I don't know if Hawkins was around in 1913 but someone else will no doubt chime in with more data. I have a mate to your gun but mine was made in 1930, early Savage production. The chokes measure .012" and .031" which seems to be a common Fox configuration in 28" - 16's. Mine patterns more like Lt. Mod and tight Full; IMO an excellent combo for grouse, pheasants, etc. I'm not a believer in excessively open chokes and I wouldn't want anything more open than that in the right barrel. I'd suggest that you use your 16 as is for this season and then make any choke changes if you feel they are warranted. Your chambers are no doubt "short" unless they've been modified since the gun was made, so I would recommend using RST 2-1/2" shells or equivalent shorts from other manufacturers. Hope this helps. Silvers

Thanks for the info Silvers. I got a case of the 2.5" Vintagers in #6 (bigger than I'd use on grouse at least late season once the leaves are down) with the intention of dragging the SW out to North Dakota for phez. Shot a few rounds of trap on Saturday and feel like the fit is excellent. I didn't get a chance to pattern, but was inking pigeons out at 45 yards in the left bbl. Fun having a gun choked this tight. . . Bill

wscovell Welcome to the forum Im glad to hear about your new Fox. I also have a 16 bore Sterly that is configured the same as yours and boy what a joy it is to carry and shoot. I can promise you that gun will perform above your expectations on those ND Pheasants. Like Silvers I like the 1oz RST 2.5 shells in #5 and 6's they are a great load. Check out
www.rstshells.com for info. Good Luck with your new Fox!!!paul