Okay guys,I'm asking for ideas here. I am already into a project that has some direction, but I have not ironed out all the details yet. I'd like ideas from any and all. There will be no debating the merits, or lack thereof, of any suggestion. I will very much appreciate anyone's participation and ideas. Here's what I have so far:
I have an A grade Philly Fox receiver with early style engraving. When I bought it years ago it came with a really pretty buttstock, original round knob, with pretty figure. I de-oiled it several years ago and raised the dents as best I could. It languished several years. I got hold of a set of bulged ejector barrels and forend, Philly again, with original wood also. Barrels were pretty bad, so I waited again. Well, it is said that all things come to those who wait and it did. Last winter I was offered a set of 32" ejector barrels, Utica, that had never been fitted to a gun at the Fox factory. They were in excellent condition, inside and out. Rib matted, chokes cut ( both very tight), roll stamped on both tubes, chambers cut to 2 5/8". Basically finished except for polishing and bluing, and not drilled and tapped yet for beads, but never a stone cut on the hook. After much phone consultation with the barrels' owner, comparing measurements to my receiver, etc., a deal was struck and they came my way. I sent it all to my Fox man who fitted the barrels beautifully to the A grade receiver and fitted the ejector fore end to them both. He also lengthened the chamber to 2 3/4". He was very pleased with the job, and I am too. The width of the barrels at the breech is within .001" of the width of the receiver balls. They look like they were made for each other! I am shooting it some now, in the white, just to get a feel for it. I shoot it really well, I think, but then I have a thing for big, long 12 ga. Foxes.
That's where we are currently. Here's what I know about the direction I want to go. I want it to be a personalized sporting clay/pigeon/duck gun. It will be used, regularly, so I have no interest in creating a showpiece that will only end up with honest wear and dings. I intend to keep and use the original wood, as the dimensions are fine for me and it's pretty enough set it off a little. Since it is not an ejector receiver I am going to save the ejectors that are in it and put in a one piece extractor. I have another Fox with a broken guide pin on an ejector, so they will be put to use eventually. I am planning to have the original engraving recut just a bit bolder so that it will stand out nicely, then have it cyanide recased. That's what is pretty well decided. It will have either an original, old stock Hawkins or Jostam's pad. I need it for LOP, and besides that I just like 'em on a "using gun".
Now, for the rest. I'd like something engraved on the top rib to personalize the gun for me, but don't know what, yet. Open to ideas. Do you think there would be any way to incorporate a gold inlay into the receiver bottom, utilizing the original engraving pattern, to make that unique, and be done with good taste? How about inlaying the "SAFE" in gold? I don't want to throw the bank at the engraving, just do a few little things to make it unique to me. Nothing gaudy. I know some think any gold is gaudy, but I like very small amounts when done tastefully. As I said, it will have the original wood, and even with a complete refurbishing of it, it will never be show quality, so other stuff should be in line with the gun's overall theme, and usage.
Put on your thinking caps guys, we've got plenty of time (I hope
), and I'd very much like to hear any suggestions or potential pitfalls any of you have to offer.SRH
