Finest Gun in the World

[Researcher]

OK!! Who is the lucky winner of the 1907ish "Finest Gun in the World" catalogue?

[xewizzard]

Inquiring Minds Want To Know.

[jolly bill]

FYI: Winning bid was $887.00.

[MARSHFELLOW]

Well, lets put it this way, once I found out a friend was bidding on it I deferred. Great piece, I've never seen another for sale.

tjw

[eightbore]

Beautiful catalog. I am lucky I don't collect Fox paper.

[SmithShady]

I saw another one of these go on eBay over the weekend. Anybody here the lucky winner? It was sitting at around $152 for most of the week, but ended up selling for more than the one listed in this original post.

Mike

[Researcher]

Interesting that the only three "Finest Gun in the World" catalogues that have come up on ebay, over the last eight years that I've been watching, have been while I've been up at our place in Kodiak.



And, they are the three different versions. The one in 2011 was what is believed to be the second catalogue that shows A-, B-, C- and D-grades and discusses the F-Grade (1906-07). The version that came up earlier this month was the one that shows all five grades and is in fact identical to the first "Campfire" catalogue, just smaller, and was used at least into 1909, as one of our members has one of those with the original envelope and cover letter dated 1909. The one that just sold was what I believe to be the first catalogue (1905-06) that only shows A-, B- and C-grades, and is the only one to show the "banner" style engraving on the C-Grade. Old Researcher pulled out all the stops for this one as I have a C-grade with the "Banner" engraving.

Later the A.H. Fox Gun co. used a probably cheaper to produce version of the "Finest Gun in the World" catalogue --



One of these has been shown with No. 22 on the cover which may mean it is the pocket catalogue equal to the "Campfire" art catalogue also No. 22?!?

[SmithShady]

Dave, thanks for the explanation on the differences. I never saw the one that sold earlier this month, but I noticed that this one had the early style C engraving from the pictures posted. Felt sure it had to be one of the first based on that. If you pulled out all of the stops on this one, I hope you were successful in obtaining it.

Hey, how about a heads up next time you go to Kodiak, so I can be on the lookout for one of these?

Mike

[MARSHFELLOW]

.......Dave, if you pulled out all the stops and bought it congrats to you!!

tjw

[fox-admin]

Dave: truly a great piece congratulations. Craig

[Researcher]

And, they are the three different versions. The one in 2011 was what is believed to be the second catalogue that shows A-, B-, C- and D-grades and discusses the F-Grade (1906-07). The version that came up earlier this month was the one that shows all five grades and is in fact identical to the first "Campfire" catalogue, just smaller, and was used at least into 1909, as one of our members has one of those with the original envelope and cover letter dated 1909. The one that just sold was what I believe to be the first catalogue (1905-06) that only shows A-, B- and C-grades, and is the only one to show the "banner" style engraving on the C-Grade. Old Researcher pulled out all the stops for this one as I have a C-grade with the "Banner" engraving.

Got home from Alaska today and retreived my prize from the Post Office. Now I have to revise my assessment a bit. I believe the "Finest Gun in the World" catalogue I just got is the first one the A.H. Fox Gun Co. issued, probably in the fall of 1905. It has the Wayne and Bristol Streets address on page 14, pictures the A-, B- and C-Grades and discusses the D- and F-Grades. For many years I've had a photocopy of the photocopy that the Headrick's had of what they believed to be a 1905/06 catalogue. It is exactly the same as the one I just got, but on each grade's page under the List Price it adds --

Automatic Ejector, $15.00
List Extra

So, that photocopy is probably of the second catalogue issued.

Trickle down theory would then make the one I got in 2011, the third catalogue issued, which pictures A-, B-, C- and D-Grades and discusses the F-Grade. This catalogue only gives Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. as the address on page 14, and includes 18th STREET AND WINDRIM AVENUE on the back of the order blank, where the two earleir catalogues had WAYNE AND BRISTOL STREETS.

[MARSHFELLOW]

......... good work Dave.

tjw

[fox-admin]

Dave: Your new catalog has to be the rarest piece of Fox paper known!!!!----if anyone in the collecting community should own that catalog it is you. Great find and congratulations. Craig

[200052]

Interesting to note that until about 2 years ago there were two or three of the fuzzy green catalogs known to be about, .and those that had one likely knew about the others. Even a little smug satisfaction of ownership appeared. Now with three more copies passing through e'bay, and another not from e'bay, there are enough to make some sense of the variations. I applaud Dave, also, for considering the different issues, and creating a report that makes that sense known to this group. Many kudos to Dave.

In the interest accuracy, some might question that the first catalog is the most rare in Fox literature. You might consider the
small bore brochure that came out with the 16/20 gauge guns. Also unheard of are either of the specific Sterlingworth booklets-two versions likely; the HOW TO SELL A SHOTGUN booklet, and the letter size Philadelphia catalog.

Ed Farrand

[Researcher]

I too was thinking of the "Complete Description of the A.H. Fox 16 and 20 Gauge Guns 1912 Model" brochure, pictured on page 140 of McIntosh's book, when Craig posted his comment.

I'll bite, what do you mean by

the letter size Philadelphia catalog.

?