Fox Collectors

All,

If Mr. Bielin passed in 1991 (1992 per McIntosh), then it's possible that he was still doing independent work on Fox Shotguns in 1983. Can anyone confirm that he was in business and repairing (replacing parts and refinishing) Fox shotguns in 1983?

Shoot straight,

Bird

Bird, not sure about 1983 date. I bought most of my parts and some unfinished guns from his widow through a friend that lived near her. He had a basement workshop and another building or two full of parts i was told. Before Mitzi died he instructed her not to sell all the parts and equipment to one company but to spread them out when sold. He had the Fox rib matting machine. Bobby

What else do we know about what happened to these "buildings full of parts"? Norman Strebe also told me that when he bought Fox parts from Savage, they were delivered in tractor trailers. I never even saw Norman's guns come on the market, much less the parts. Norman had only showed me his guns a couple at a time, but he told me he had eighty Foxes. That's not a lot in today's world of play money, but it was a lot in the sixties and seventies.

Mitzie Bielen after he retired from Savage Arms, continued to repair , re-stock , fit barrels etc from his workshop in the cellar of his home. He bought all the remaining parts , wood, barrels , fixtures and waht he needed to continue what he did at Savage. JLRSBJ

Bobby,

What of the rib matting machine? Is that "underground"?

jlrsbj,

Do you have any other information besides confirming for us he was in the business with factory parts? Years of operation?

Bird

I believe he retired from Savage about 1971 or 72. To my knowledge the rib matting machine and other equipment is still in the cellar. jlrsbj

jlrsbj,

Thanks again. How about years of independent operation? Could he have performed work that someone is claiming to me he did in 1983? There is paperwork, but I am curious and confirming.

Bird

I was told that the matting machine was promised to Lefever but if they ever got it before they went out of business i do not know. Man told me first time he went into Mitzie's shop in 70s that there were hundreds of complete forends scattered around! Bobby