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HE 3 inch
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:38 pm
by ROMAC
I grew up duck hunting as a kid and have always wanted one of these ever since I started to get into Fox guns. My grandfather had a brother who was in my eye the consumate sportman and he had one. At the time it was just a duck gun to me but the fact that I remember it to this day as being something special, akin to "big medicine" in the marsh must mean it made quite an impression.
So anyway I followed up on a conversation a friend of mine had over a year ago with a guy who had a fox "too heavy" to hunt rabbits with. This one definately has seen honest use. I was told it has sat in a closet for 40 years. Definately an "attic" type of find. I love it!
3 inch stamp which was confirmed on the card lookup:
Basic HE engraving correct:
Nice period Hawkens pad, still soft and usable:
Only one crack that will need some attention:
32 inch unmessed with 0 weight barrels, ejectors timed and throw empties with authority:

Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 12:11 am
by SmithShady
Wow, great find! One of these is on my list as well.

Looks to be in pretty good condition with just some honest wear.
Mike
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:25 am
by fox-admin
Welcome to the super fox owners club. Nice gun great find. We hope to see it at the Booth Whoop shoot in the spring.
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:58 am
by MARSHFELLOW
,,,,always fun to pull a "hard to find" one out of a closet these days. There's only so many left out there, definitely not a renewable resource. Good for you.
tjw
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:07 am
by Silvers
Congrats Roger. I agree with all the earlier comments. To my thinking these honest old Foxes speak of good times and have a spirit in them that very few if any modern shotguns will ever have. Frank
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:47 am
by ROMAC
Well, I won't be shooting it any time soon. I need to have the crack evaluated and fixed first.
I think it is perfect the way it is otherwise so unless the stock is going to be a problem this one will is going to be a time capsule and left alone.
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:52 pm
by WPGRIFFON
Looks like a very nice HE, congratulations on locating one, I hope to own one in the future.
WPGRIFFON
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:50 pm
by simcgunner
Gotta! love those Duck Guns. Congratulations on a great find
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:46 pm
by Stan Hillis
Nice find, ROMAC. Almost a twin to mine, #31794, except my Hawkins pad is black. I'd love to see the bore and choke dimensions someday if you ever decide to "blueprint" the barrels. Several years ago a group of us AHFCA members met up at Beaver Dam Lake at Tunica, MS, for a duck hunt. We photographed 5 or 6 HE Foxes in the blind together. I can't remember exactly how many there were. Six I think.
Once the crack is repaired properly I might consider adding just enough finish back to the wood to "waterproof" it somewhat. From the pic it looks like there's not much finish left on the wood, but that may just be the lighting.
Sure wish I could get to the Bo Whoop shoot with mine one year.
SRH
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:54 pm
by Stan Hillis
Dave, whilst we're on HEs, we know now that there were many more HE guns made and sold than MM stated. But, do we have any indication, or even a SWAG, how many 3" chambered, 32" barreled ones were made/sold? What would be your guess?
SRH
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:15 pm
by ROMAC
The wood definately needs some TLC, but not too much.
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:28 am
by Jim Cloninger
Hey Mike (mc15426378 ) post up the photo of all the super Foxes at Bever Dam if you still have it. Jim
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:51 am
by mc15426378
Here's the photos of the guns & hunters.

Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:10 am
by Mills
Great find ROMAC. Great photos of Beaverdam Mike. A Super Fox is on the very top of my wish list. Maybe this year . . .
Re: HE 3 inch
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:17 am
by Jim Cloninger
Thanks, Mike. Those photos bring back some great memories.
Left to right in the photo: Al Afton(scaupman), Jim Cloninger, Mike Boyd(outfitter and guide), Stan Hillis, Mike Covington(mc15426378), Al's son(forgot his first name).
Jim