Fox Collectors

I'm new to collecting A.H. Fox shotguns, but have been collecting firearms for over 20 years. Just recently acquired a Fox 12 gauge all matching with a serial # 410 not in to bad of shape. I would like to get it restored, I want to shoot it, don't want a wall hanger. My question is who does the best work, and what would be the approximate cost. Thanks in advance.

welcome to the forum Tim,congrats on your Fox.is serial no a partial? take a look at Brian Dudleys site, he is a member here . hopefully others who have had restorations done will chime in. regards,fred

Welcome. What grade is your gun? We need to see several good pictures to even begin to tell what you have and what you'll need.

Serial number 410 would be an early Wayne & Bristol Streets gun from late 1905 or early 1906.

Tim,

As suggested by Researcher, we sure would like to see some good pictures of your Fox.

Philadelphia Arms, not an A.H. Fox. Good luck with your project..

TimCurran wrote: ↑Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:04 am I'm new to collecting A.H. Fox shotguns, but have been collecting firearms for over 20 years. Just recently acquired a Fox 12 gauge all matching with a serial # 410 not in to bad of shape. I would like to get it restored, I want to shoot it, don't want a wall hanger. My question is who does the best work, and what would be the approximate cost. Thanks in advance.

Tim,

Thank you for posting pictures of your Fox for all of to see and as Eightbore replied, you have the less common variety of a Fox double - a Philadelphia Arms Fox.

Approximate cost to restore? Probably quite a bit.

If the wood, both stock and fore end, are OK, just showing light handling marks and full length with no splits or cracks etc, that helps that part of a restoration project. Stock replacement is expensive.

Redoing the metal can be expensive. Are the barrels and bores OK: no serious dents, bulges, pits, and full length and chokes intact? As seen in your pictures, both guide pins on the extractors will need to be repaired. Barrels would have to be rust blued. Re-case coloring the frame is pricey to do it right.

Keep in mind, all the money you put in your project, you will be ending up with a shooter and not a collector Fox and recovering your cost via a sale will be disappointing. Doing most of the work yourself will help but having it done right by someone qualified can be pricey.

Some might call it a "money pit".

And you want someone who does the best work? They would be very pricey and you would likely have to wait a year or two before they tackled the work. And be prepared to have your restoration work declined.

Your money would be better spent finding a decent Fox that's ready to shoot.

All this is just my opinion and hopefully, others will chime in.

All the best Tim and thanks for posting.

Jolly

I recorded that gun for sale on Gunbroker last month. I noted it as being restocked.

An outline of the Philadelphia Arms Co. history here on our home page --

https://www.foxcollectors.com/pre-fox-g ... lphia-arms

As Jolly Bill suggests, your gun is a poor candidate for restoration. A mid level restoration would cost thousands, and at the end, you would have a $600 gun. Just restoring the rib would be a major task for a metal worker and engraver. The gun is way beyond "not too bad a shape".

Welcome Aboard Tim,
I've collected FOX Shotguns for years. I have had Sterlingworths to "D" grades. Collector Quality to Shooters and I loved all of them! Just enjoy shooting it.
Rain or shine.

Brian

ooooohhhh a .410 Fox.

Brian Dudley wrote: ↑Thu Aug 18, 2022 2:21 pm ooooohhhh a .410 Fox.