Fox Collectors

As I learn more, I have more questions.

I notice that many posters 'blank out' the last two digits of their serial numbers.

Can someone explain why? Curious minds want to know....

Thanks

A good example of "why", happened at the Vintage Cup last month. There were two FE Fox shotguns with the same serial number. A $55,000.00 FE at Cabela's table was removed and sent back to their store when they found out about the duplicate numbers.

It boils down to the fact that some people are more trusting than others. Not that either view is "wrong" but I favor doing the xx convention for the last two digits.

Generally the exact s/n is extraneous data for the vast majority of the viewers/readers - to those folks the closest 100 gun bracket (00-99) to the example cited is "close enough" to compare features, production dates, etc. To the very small percentage who want to know the exact s/n for some historical reason, that data can usually be obtained through a PM to the poster.

Another reason for using the xx convention is the small number of cretins who would think nothing of claiming they or their family owned your exactly numbered gun prior to the GC Act of 1968 that required long guns to be transferred by s/n. Almost all the guns talked about here fall in that category. Said cretin can make life miserable for the legit current owner of the gun if he/she files a claim the gun was stolen, sold by someone who was not an estate executor, etc., and then the current owner has to defend its chain of title.

Lastly, communicating the complete s/n freely on the world wide web brings up strong negative feelings to many re: gun registration. As it currently stands the s/n is shown on the 4473 and in the record books that stay with the dealer until the biz is discontinued, obviously more limited exposure than a ww web posting.

All told, I'll stay with the xx convention for the guns I post here. If anyone needs to know the complete s/n - as for the excellent historical tabulation of Super Foxes that is now posted in the Members Forum - that is certainly an exception. Silvers

Silvers, how and to whom would such a claim of ownership be filed if a person found a gun that was once his and should still be his? Is the latest custodian of this gun really required to prove a chain of title? Who would force him to present that proof? I have located such a gun and don't know where to turn.