Live Bird Guns

[Woodsloafer]

How rare are Fox live bird guns...no safety......and what kind of premium do they add to the gun? Thanks!

[Researcher]

They are not rare. Perhaps uncommon. Our friends from Pocotello scored a great CE-Grade last winter at Las Vegas --

http://foxcollectors.com/My%20Forum/php ... =11&t=4465

I got up from our AHFCA table and was headed to the dealer to buy it and they were there closing the deal!! Not all no safety guns are "Live Bird" guns. Nash Buckingham's BoWhoop was a no safety gun, as was his of the pair of HDE-grades Henry Bartholomew got for him and Nash to use for waterfowl at his place on the Potomac. Nash's HDE was subsequently restocked with a pistol grip and had a safety added. Also, there are a number of no safety smallbores that are considered "Plantation Quail Guns." I have no proof, but my observations would put vent rib Ansley H. Fox doubles far less common than no safety Ansley H. Fox doubles.

[fox-admin]

I don't believe no safety guns bring much of a premium unless they can be tied to a known shooter.
They are fun to own and shoot. I own a live bird gun and it has been interesting researching the original owner through the L84 Foundation.

[Woodsloafer]

This seems like a good one at fair price....A grade....old style engraving....english grip...32 inch barrels....full and full....single trigger....excellent condition.......1.5 xf 2.125 x 14.5 x 2 year 2400.00......

[Silvers]

Many gents equate safetyless with live bird guns, and that's not necessarily the case. Not knowing anything else about the gun you cited, I would say the 32-inch barrels and F&F chokes might flavor it more toward clay target shooting. JMO FWIW.

[TOOL MAN]

Sounds interesting, Woodsloafer, however I would be a bit wary of the ST. If the gun is, as you state, a Gen-1 A-grade, then chances are it wasn't factory, as the Fox-Kautzky single trigger wasn't available on the option list until mid-1914.
Now, it could have been sent back to Philly for the conversion later in life . Is it a Kautzky?
Many serious live bird shooters eschewed 3 features: safeties, ejectors and single triggers and I don't blame them one bit!! Mechanical malfunctions were costly, especially with all the side money floating around. Find out what kind of trigger is on the gun----post some pics if you can. You will receive plenty of great advice here. Good luck.