phila.arms co. gun

[reddhott2]

I picked up a phila arms co. double today serial #1199 12 gauge with a matching 2 barrel set with forearms all matching numbers. I know it was before ah fox guns it only says fox on the reciever. Anbody have any info on these guns my book notes that only twelve are accounted for highest #1845. Is this gun rare does it have any value any help would be great

[Flatlander Tom]

I too bought a Philadelphia Arms Co 12 ga Fox about a month ago. Mine is #1738 and has only Fox on each side of the receiver. I have search all over the internet and have not found even one for sale like it. Mine needs some TLC as it has a crack in the stock that was fixed with a reparir bolt, the safety does not work and it is slightly loose. Be advised the chamber on mine measured out at 2 1/2", so I got some rst shells to shoot a couple test rounds in it. I"m contemplating sending it to Classic Gunstocks to have the stock refinishd, safety fixed and checked out. They can do wonders with old stocks and will countersink the repair bolt and make it to where it is hard to see unless you knew exactly where it was. The old gun is starting to grow on me especially with how rare it appears to be. I think I will put some money into it for a restoration.I tried to post a couple picrures, but it says the file is too big. I will take some more pics on a lower setting when I get a chance.
Tom

[ROMAC]

Researcher on this site has information on about 60 of these. They are neat guns and a definite part of the Fox lineage. A common estimate is that about 2,000 were produced. I have one and got a great deal on it. I really do not know what an average or common price is because in reality there are not that many around. Hope this helps.

[ASavageFox]

Tom,

my guess is you are trying to load the pictures directly from your computer? Try using a free service like photobucket.

As for PAC guns. they are around but you hardly ever see them with much condition. My records show 64 that I was able to receive a reasonable information about and two others that were made reference too but I was unable to get much detail on. There appears to be no reason to believe they did not start at serial number 1 and the highest known for sure is in the mid 1800s. The lowest serial number I have seen with my own two eyes was 51.

Your gun is an A grade, the lowest they made, and obviously the most common. Most are rough for good reason, they were meant to put meat on the table and many were well used. There are a number of them out there that are now just receiver or parts. There were at least two made as high as E grade. Several members here own A, B, C and D grades. I believe if you check the homepage you will likely find pictures of several. (check the drop downs at the top).

In terms of value, it seems the A grades don't generate much attention, about what a Sterlingworth would bring. Start getting into the higher grades and the price seems to change quickly, though you next to never see any higher grades for sale. Like most things, condition is everything.

You can also find articles about them in the Double Gun Journal.

Here is one of the two A grades that I own, I just had the stocks refinished on it....

[ROMAC]

Here's what mine looks like. Like Drew said, it was used hard to put meat on the table.