MM's chart of barrel weights

[bamboozler]

Does the barrel weight chart of unstruck barrel weights in Michael McIntosh's book on Fox include the ejector/extractor slides or are the weights published without the ejector/extractor slides?

[abner]

Good question, is there anyone left that would know? Even MM is gone.

[Jeff S]

Silvers will know. (If I had to bet, I would bet $20 on "without").

[vaturkey]

I would think without. If you buy barrels in the white from Jason at Pumpkin, they are without extractor or ejector blades.

[OH Osthaus]

that would be my guess - they were stamped before being finished

[bbman3]

All the new old stock barrels I bought from Mitzi had extractors or ejectors installed.Bobby

[bamboozler]

Bobby, were the barrels you bought from Mitzie in a similar condition as the unfinished barrels that Jason at Pumpkin Mt. is selling?

[Foxnut]

Bamboozler,
The barrels that Jason has came from the stock that Mitzi had.

[bamboozler]

Bamboozler,
The barrels that Jason has came from the stock that Mitzi had.

I realize that Foxnut, thanks. I probably could have been more clear in my question if I had asked Bobby if Mitzie might have finished them to some degree, i.e. by adding the ejectors/extractors, matting the rib, etc.

Whether or not Mitzie's or Jason's barrels included the extractors/ejectors is veering slightly away from the original question of whether or not the weight of the ejector/extractor blades were included in the unstruck barrel weight chart of MM's book on A.H. Fox.

[bamboozler]

A member of the A.H. Fox Collectors on Face Book reports that his 12-ga. A-grade Fox's barrels which are stamped as being 4-weight actually weigh 3 lbs. 3 oz. He didn't mention if the extractor slides were or were not included in his barrel's finished weight, but it is assumed they were included. Michael McIntosh's chart reports 4-weight unstruck barrel weight of 12-ga., 28" bbls. is 3 lbs. 4 oz.

In sum, it appears that only one ounce of steel was removed during striking in this set of barrels. Hhmmmm, very interesting.

[bbman3]

Most of the barrels I bought were marked SP on flats but I did get 2 or 3 that were Chromox I believe.I got one set of 26 inch 20 graded that had been fitted to another gun and had serial number stamped on it.I have heard of some that had matting on ribs and nearly finished but not blued. Once got a 12 gauge frame in the white with serial number and stamped DE and had the factory rebates.Bobby

[Researcher]

It has long been my opinion that if Roe Clark had thrown those damn barrel weight charts in the shredder when he found them we would all be better off. They were only of interest to a worker in the Fox factory selecting a rough barrel set to get the finished weight he was working towards in the finished gun with the least amount of striking. All much ado about a number that may or may not remain on the bottom side of Fox barrels, and means far less now than it did when a Fox factory worker selected a rough set of barrels to make the gun.

FWIW, here are the photocopies of the original charts that Roe Clark provided to the Headricks back in 1989. When we were working on "the book" Bill Headrick provided copies of the charts to McIntosh and me.

Barrel Weight Chart 20-gauge

Barrel Weight Chart 16-gauge

Barrel Weight Chart 12-gauge

Take note that on page 154 of the First Edition of "the book" the bottom line, for the 20-gauge 4-weight 32-inch barrel, should be 3 pounds 0 ounces.

[bamboozler]

Take note that on page 154 of "the book" the bottom line, for the 4-weight 32-inch barrel, should be 3 pounds 0 ounces.

I assume you're referring to 20-ga. barrels weights. Perhaps there was a typo in the 1992 1st Edition of the book, my revised 2nd edition is correct per the above chart.

The statement "Allowance for finish is included in given dimensions" is confusing. What do you suppose it means? Could it mean that allowances been made for polishing, rust bluing, rib matting, beads, ejector/extractor slides or even striking?

Thank you for taking the time and effort to post the charts.

[fox-admin]

I have recently acquired two large detailed pictures of the AH Fox barrel making department and milling department. I believe these pictures will answer the question about barrel weight and the numbered stamp. Future article in the works. Stay tuned! Craig

[Sporrns]

Dave, thanks for sharing these tables - most interesting! Kevin