Fox Collectors

Fellas, I need some help... My Cousin just gave me a AH Fox 12 gauge double barrel. I've done a little research and I believe it could be a rare find. The serial# is 1331.... That's right, 1331, with an A next to it. It has been in a closet in an old soft leather gun sock for 40 years! I believe it's the first batch of shotguns that Mr. Fox built right after he left Philadelphia Arms. Am I right in my assumption? If so, it's value???? THANKS!!!!

Well,
Everything is dependent on condition. Post some really good digital photos and we will give our opinions for sure. A grades are the first graded Foxes out there and they were made in the highest numbers. Condition is everything for sure. Anyway, welcome and please post some photos and folks will no doubt jump in.

Thanks Turkey, here are some pics....

Looks like at some point in time this gun was fitted with a late Savage-era Fox-Sterlingworth stock. An original 1906 vintage A-Grade like this started life with a European Walnut (Juglans regia) stock, standard with a half-pistol grip. A straight grip or a capped full pistol grip were optional. From an early "Finest Gun in the World" catalogue --

Thanks Researcher..... The lighting on the pic makes the stock look different. The engraving on the stock matches the forearm exactly! The wood grain and color also match. There is no evidence that it was replaced. There is a recoil pad that has a 1927 date on it that I assume was added. In any case, I can't wait to shoot it! If it is all original, what would its value be, ballpark???

Pittoearle wrote:Thanks Researcher..... The lighting on the pic makes the stock look different. The engraving on the stock matches the forearm exactly! The wood grain and color also match. There is no evidence that it was replaced. There is a recoil pad that has a 1927 date on it that I assume was added. In any case, I can't wait to shoot it! If it is all original, what would its value be, ballpark???

IMO, if you want to find out how it left the factory you can as a member of the A.H. Fox Collectors Association get one free look up of the order card (assuming the order card is available for this early gun). If you want even more detail you can order a letter on your Fox and that letter will provide even more details on the gun and if it was perhaps returned to the factory for work.

I believe by looking at the provided pictures that a late Sterlingworth 12 gauge buttstock was fitted to the original receiver and perhaps at that same time the Anti-Flinch pad was added. That particular type of buttstock (non-capped) was not used on graded guns to the best of my somewhat limited knowledge.

Great advice Turkey.... I'll do just that, Thanks!!!!

Your Fox with serial no 1331 will not have a record card, and thus a record card lookup and/or a factory letter confirming its original specs isn't possible. Also, your gun definitely has a replacement stock from a newer era, and from the limited pics you posted I'd say it probably doesn't have much collector value even though its serial no is relatively low.

Just for comparison, here's a high condition A Grade with serial no 13xx, just a few numbers away from yours.

I agree the stock has been replaced. Value in my opinion $500. To $600.

Again, thanks for the response... The pic you show looks exactly like the gun I'm holding. Could you send one showing the rest of the stock?. If it's different than the one I have in my hand, then I'll be 100% convinced.I I'm posting a couple more pics. I would totally agree if the forearm and the stock looked different, they aren't.In fact, both have exact wear from just being very old. You can see it very well along where the locking lever and the stock come together. Again, many thanks to the "AH Fox" world for sharing the information..... I'm not looking sell it but want to have insured....

The shape of the pistol grip, head of the stock, comb and the lack of a pistol grip cap is what says Savage Sterlingworth Stock in my opinion. It's just not correct to the period in which your A was made. The forend may be a Savage replacement as only Savage stamped the serial number into the wood. It is not the original stock in my opinion.

You answered my questions... The recoil cushion has a 1927 patent date on it. I can probably assume that's when the forearm and stock were replaced. I doubt there would be any record of that. In any case, I'll have it checked out by a gunsmith and am looking forward to shooting it. Again, many thanks for all the help. I am happy to now be a part of the "Fox" world!!!!

Welcome and enjoy your Fox. It is very nice and will be big fun to shoot. It will not be the last one in your safe!!