Fox Collectors

There's a guy over on the LC Smith site asking for info on this gun. I told him to come here of course. he has a really nice piece as the pictures show. Ken

Ken,
Thank you for showing me the way. I did not mean to post the C96 question on the LC Smith site.

I saw this gun for sale and wondered about it and when it was made. It is a great looking gun for
sure.
Dick

I believe it was made in late 05 or early 06. Nice looking refinished early C grade. Barrels may or maynot be cut. The owner refused to discuss the issue or send better photos last month.

My same reply I put over on the L.C. site -- The A.H. Fox Gun Co. started essentially when Ansley left Philadelphia Arms Co. in December 1904. He incorporated A.H. Fox Gun Co. in April 1905. They began advertising is sporting magazines in mid-December 1905. The only patent date on the frame of this gun is Aug. 1, 1905, which is Patent No. 796,119 which actually covers the bolting of the Philadelphia Arms Co. Fox double. Patent No. 801,862 which covers the action of the Ansley H. Fox shotgun was applied for on February 9, 1905, and granted October 17, 1905. In that the October 17, 1905, patent date isn't on this gun, I'd guess it was made in the latter part of 1905, before they got a roll stamp made with the October patent date.

I believe that this is the same early "C" Grade Fox that I saw at Jim Kelly's Darlington Gun Works, Darlington, SC about a year ago before it was redone. I notice that the present owner is from Florence, SC which is next door to Darlington.

Best regards, George Lander