Fox Collectors

In order to help expand the knowledge base and information available to Fox Collectors I am collecting data on changes in styles and markings during the years of Fox production. One of the more obvious style changes during the years of Fox production was the changes in the dog engravings on C grade Fox guns.
During a recent thread I collected examples of numerous styles but not enough to draw any conclusions. I would like to expand the collection of C dog photos so I can come closer to determining when each style started, ended and overlapped in relation of other styles. This information when collected and organized will be made available on the web site

You can email photos directly to me, send a link to the photo via PM or just post the photo on this thread. If you would like to remain anonymous your name will not be post with other information about the gun.
I will need the serial number range of the gun pictured and any other production data you may have about the gun.

Photo Tips,
Try to photograph your gun in subdued light without direct flash. Any bright reflection of flash on the metal will usually result in a loss of detail. Indirect lighting or shade is best. Using a tripod or other solid support will help make the detail and fine lines on the engraving more apparent.
If you have any questions please ask here or send me an email.
Jess

Good morning Jess, just to clarify. Do you want us to send the original photos that were already posted on that thread, or are you looking for new ones? Frank

Frank, the photos that were already posted will work pretty well and I copied them from the thread on C dogs.

I would like to see more examples. Even if the engravings seem to be the same pattern, more photos will help us to define styles and the time frames they were used. Close inspection of the ones I have seen would suggest there are variations within style which could indicated different engravers or just some days being more creative than others.

Even in the small sample we have I can see that my 1905 and your 1910 guns were likely done by the same person but Dave's 1905 and my 1906 guns don't seem to be done by the same person as each other or the previous mentioned guns. That would indicate there were 3 people engraving C grades in the early years. Guns from the 20's and later are more consistent in style with the dogs having their head up and a more well shaped profile. Still in these samples there are a variety in the fore and backgrounds of the scene.

I don't think we can draw anymore than rough conclusions with the small sample we now have so I would like more photos.

Jess, I sent you a PM. Thanks very much for your interest and work to catalog these C dogs. Frank

Jess, here's a new one for you, CE #92xx.. Frank




Take a look at the relative size of the dogs, #154xx on left and #92xx on right. The 92xx dog is only about 1/2" high from shoulder to the paws.

Thanks Frank,
I guess size doesn't matter to a Fox!

Jess, I have a photo for you,but can't figure out how to post it.I can email to you or someone who can.
Dave dtercek@atlanticbb.net[/url]

Dave,
You can just email it to me. Click the email link below my post or send to
jess@jessleephotos.com .
Thank You very much.
Jess

A nice one from Dave 1915 SN 226XX
Thanks Dave

heres one from a gun probaly built during spring- summer 1923 as it shipped in Aug that year

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Birdawg I will get some pics off to you when I get the camera set up.
terc
Those 22,xxx range guns have about the best engraving in my opinion. They seem to have deeper than standard scratchin!
Don Ay
That is the first C grade gun I have seen with "rebated" frame! does the frame have the breech balls filed to match the barrels? That is most unusual!
Paul

Foxist,
yes it has the filed breech,small lock screw and long ebony tipped forearm. It was ordered to have "XE" grade wood, a monte carlo stock with pad. Apparently the customer sent a drawing of the stock dimensions he wanted and asked for it to be returned, and it is on an "0" framed- HE 30" barrels 3" chambers. and single trigger. C grade engraving .. this is all on the order card
It has a regular stock now, and also Savage "proofs" so I think it may have gone back to the factory to have stock work.

#18307 (1911)



#26012 (1921)

I wanted to thank everyone for sending their fox dog photos. I am sure there are more out there to help define the lines of change in the engravings but here is a rough draft of what I have put together. I know there are a couple of dupes here and I need to a bit more editing before Craig puts it on the site but have a look.
http://www.jessleephotos.com/fox%20guns/index.htm


Comments, corrections, additional data or photos welcome.

Jess it looks very nice!! Craig