Hello Fox Community

[BlindRetrieve]

Hello everyone. I have been coming here for a while and using the search function. Thought it was time to give some support and participation. I have a 1916 A Grade that I use for Doves and ducks. It has been mine for about 10 years now and adds as much fun to the hunt as the dog. Just don't really enjoy it without them. The gun has 2 barrel sets. I guess someone sent it back later and got them made? Who knows. It is in pretty good shape and I love that it is still able to do what it was made for. I look forward to making some new friends here, learning something, and joining in the conversation. Nice to meet everyone. John

[Jeff S]

Welcome aboard. A 16 ga. “A” is a sweet gun (I own one). I sincerely hope that you’ll have successful Fall and will share some pictures with us.

[jolly bill]

Welcome John.

You'll like it here.

Could you show us a couple pictures of your A grade. 12 or 16 gauge?

[Stan Hillis]

Good to have you on board, John. Doves and ducks, eh? Sounds familiar to this old Georgia Boy. I also have a couple A grade Foxes ......... sweet guns. I second Bill's suggestion that you show some pics. It is especially interesting as a two barrel set. If you have any problems posting pics someone here will be glad to help you out. The pics may make it easier for members to help answer questions that may arise about your gun.

Best to you, Stan

[BlindRetrieve]

Here are the requested pics of my shotgun. It is a 12 gauge. I have a lot of fun using it. It is a great shooter. I hope you enjoy. If you have any insights, those are appreciated as well. Always interested to learn something. John

[44whiskey]

beautiful gun,welcome to fox and thanks for posting 44whiskey

[Jeff S]

Nice Fox, and I like the wood.

[jolly bill]

John,

Thanks for the pictures.

Pretty neat Fox.

Not the most common barrel length and chokes on the first set of barrels: 26 inch with IC and Full chokes. Nice combination.

Jolly

[BlindRetrieve]

Thanks for compliments. Sounds like we are on the same page Stan. Was there a process whereby you could send your shotgun to Fox and have another set of barrels fitted? If not what is the likely explanation for my having two sets? John

[vaturkey]

6 lbs 8 oz. Dang that's a light 12. Heck uva nice upland gun for sure. Thanks for posting

[TOOL MAN]

Sweet gun and for us 12 bore fans, that set-up would be just about perfect for chasing "pats" in those storied New Hampshire coverts of yesteryear!! I'm guessing the second set of barrels are 30"??

[Stan Hillis]

Thanks for compliments. Sounds like we are on the same page Stan. Was there a process whereby you could send your shotgun to Fox and have another set of barrels fitted? If not what is the likely explanation for my having two sets? John

As I understand it, it wasn't anything unusual to send a gun back to Fox for another set of barrels, and forend. Sometimes we see the sets with the original barrel set being Philly made and the second set Utica made and fitted. The other explanation is that a Fox gun nut wanted another set fitted to his gun, found a set that could be done, and had a gunsmith do it (tough job to do properly). If the serial numbers match on everything, and the font looks right, it was probably factory done, IMO. Not many people would go to the trouble to try to counterfeit a matching set on an A grade.

Both sets of yours seem to have the wide rib that I like so much. Nice gun. Thanks for posting the pics.

[Researcher]

Your gun was in a run of fifteen 26-inch A-Grades with half-pistol grip stocks. Most of them were around 6 pounds 12 ounces but the lightest lists at 6 pounds 4 ounces and the heaviest 7 pounds 5 ounces.

I am surprised to see the original Krupp barrels have the reinforced forearm loop. Your gun is the highest serial number I've noted with that style forearm loop. My guess is that more guns were sent back to the factory for a 2nd set of barrels than were ordered with two sets of barrels.

[vaturkey]

Your gun was in a run of fifteen 26-inch A-Grades with half-pistol grip stocks. Most of them were around 6 pounds 12 ounces but the lightest lists at 6 pounds 4 ounces and the heaviest 7 pounds 5 ounces.

I am surprised to see the original Krupp barrels have the reinforced forearm loop. Your gun is the highest serial number I've noted with that style forearm loop. My guess is that more guns were sent back to the factory for a 2nd set of barrels than were ordered with two sets of barrels.

I'm a small bore guy thru and thru, but if I came across a 12 gauge that weighed 6 lb 4 oz it would probably find its way to my gun safe. There's not much that gun wouldn't do.

[BlindRetrieve]

Yes, the second set of barrels are 30". Choked Full and Fuller. I took out a loan against my house last year and bought some RST Bismuth shells and let me tell you those 30 inchers are where it's at for Geese. I usually take the 26" for ducks as we mostly have Wood Ducks here(not a complaint) except late in the winter when some Mallards arrive. Having a light and handy gun in the dense swamps we hunt is a blessing.

Thank you Researcher for the information. I love to hunt with these old guns but I am equally happy to hear and learn the history of them. That is very interesting about the forearm.

Also, just on a personal note, I have always thought it interesting that a 1916 American shotgun being fitted with Krupp barrels. I know that it is not odd at all as they had inventory left from before the war but, that name is synonymous with German armament in two World Wars and at the time this gun was made was in the middle of making war material for a life and death struggle. Meanwhile the steel from that company is used to shoot birds in those idyllic settings we all imagine. Like "pats" in New Hampshire coverts. To me it adds another layer of history for these guns. John