Oldest recorded Fox guns observed

[birdawg]

I may have overlooked this on searching but I am curious about what are the oldest observed Fox guns?

[Researcher]

The lowest serial number Fox Gun Co., Balto., MD., U.S.A. double I've observed is my serial number 153.

The earliest Philadelphia Arms Co. A.H. Fox double I've recorded is serial number 59.

The earliest A.H. Fox Gun Co. Ansley H. Fox double to come to light so far is serial number 2 that Hal Hamilton use to have.

[fox-admin]

I have handled 18 and 154 both A grades.

[MARSHFELLOW]

#29 is a lovely C grade which I have at my shop....it belongs to a fellow AHFCA member

[Researcher]

Eightbore and I both fondled serial number 8 a B-Grade with Krupp Heavy-Weight barrels at a Maryland Arms Collectors Association show a couple or three decades ago, but neither of us felt the need to own another 30-inch 12-gauge!!

[birdawg]

Thanks for the replies but you know questions always seem to lead to more questions. I hope someday we can have an idea of the number of high graded guns that came out of the factory in those first days? I would think quite a few, certainly #29 and #35 are great examples. The wood I have seen on early A grades is very nice but I have seen at least one C grade with a dimpled knot in the pistol grip checkered over and filler (since fallen out) in the butt.

Dave, was the #2 gun a A grade? Are there any photos available in print, Any idea of the current locations?

Craig, What was the condition of those very early guns?

Tom, I agree that is a great gun. Maybe straight up for the last, special ordered, Wildfowl/HE

Thanks again, for as Dave says, sharing the knowledge

[Researcher]

Here is a photo from the A.H. Fox Collectors Association archives of Roe Clark and Hal Hamilton with Ansley H. Fox double serial number 2, taken at the Savage factory in 1991.



Serial No. 2 was also pictured in McIntosh's book, on page 92, with No. 154 on page 93.

Tom Kidd did an article in The Double Gun Journal, Volume Nine, Issue Three, on two-barrel sets. In that article he shows two early DE-Grades , Serial No. 442 and Serial No. 511 which was made for the Secretary & Treasurer of E.K. Tryon, Mr. Evan G. Chandlee.

[birdawg]

Thanks Dave, Great information as usual. #2 looks to be in great condition. Did you visit T.R.'s gun?

[Researcher]

I'm going to be in Cody next week.

[eightbore]

I visited the TR gun often many years ago when Tom Kidd displayed it and other neat Foxes at local gun shows. Those were the days.

[birdawg]

I visited the TR gun often many years ago when Tom Kidd displayed it and other neat Foxes at local gun shows. Those were the days.

Those were the days, but now days we have the internet

[George Lander]

But, alas, there is nothing like seeing one in the flesh. I had the opportunity this past weekend to see the three Parker Invincibles upclose at the NRA Museum & The Parker annual get-together. What a Treat! Mr. & Mrs. Eightbore were there as well.

Best Regards, George

[1SG Mosteller]

#29, CE grade is listed on Gunsinternational right now!

1SG Mosteller

[George Lander]

#29, CE grade is listed on Gunsinternational right now!

1SG Mosteller

Hello Sarge: Do you plan to make the Southern?

Best Regards, George

[1SG Mosteller]

George, I'm currently back in Japan, did a Change of Responsibility and to give closure to the unit! I bought 10 more guns here, finally got a Krieghoff, a couple of Winchester o/u a few SKB's. I'm up to 30 guns to mail home. When is the Southern?

1SG Mostelller