Fox Collectors

Just acquired my first Fox, an early (~1908) A grade with extractors. In fair condition; cracked stock repaired with oak and cherry panels, held together with 6 brass screws.
28" barrels (marked #1), choked mod and full. Mechanically tight, but doubles frequently when fired.

After reading the helpful comments in this forum, it appears it would not be a good investment to do a total restoration - I'm thinking of just getting the triggers fixed and enjoy it for shooting clays and pheasants ...

Any chance of finding a factory takeoff stock that could be fitted with little effort ?

Suggestions, comments ?

Approximate value in current condition ?

Many thanks !

I have never had much luck trying to install a stock from another gun,there usually will be high spots and low spots and gaps if you get it fitted.It might be worth a try but find an earlier stock close to your gun's serial number.I believe there were changes in the frame over the years. Bobby

You might send to a good gunsmith and see what they could do. You are probably right that anything beyond cleaning the action and getting the triggers fixed would not be a good investment.

If you find that you enjoy shooting the gun, you might consider a restock down the road and it will add to your enjoyment of the gun. I did that on an early Parker GH. Won't ever get my money back out, but sure love the gun.

That's an interesting repair; actually the fitting of the wood inserts looks quite well done.

Apparently a well-done non-gunsmith repair. Effective and functional. If it was mine I'd look around for a used stock and fiddle with it to make it fit. I'd hang on to the existing one though so I had something to shoot with while I "fiddled". Of course I am assuming that you bought the gun to use and would like to make it look "normal".

It will cost a little more, but I would bite the bullet and have it restocked. This is assuming you want to shoot the gun and are not interested in flipping it for a profit. It costs a bit more, but you get new wood, made especially for your gun, and made to your specifications. It also looks and feels much better. That is based on my personal experience.

Sounds like there is a second set of barrels out there and I would keep an eye out. There are amazing stories of people finding missing pieces of guns. Eightbore on here has the most interesting story in that regard.

Thanks for the helpful comments !

I'm going to have Dan Rossiter fix the triggers, and I will look for an original takeoff stock - I realize the fit could be a problem - could Brownells Acurglas be used here ?
(apologies to the fine stockmakers who may read this !)

Bought this gun to shoot, can break most of the targets on the skeet field with it, despite the 3" drop in the stock. It reminds me somewhat of my Father's Lefever DS, first shotgun in my life.

Correction - the #1 on the barrels I mentioned is under the forearm by the text "Fluid Steel Krupp" - does this reference the weight of the barrels ?

Yes

You can use Accraglass for just about anything.....including gun stocks. If you want a chuckle, read Brownell's book "Gunsmith Kinks".

There is a buttstock from early 16 ga A grade offered on Gunbroker - could this stock be altered to fit on a 12 ga frame ?

You will need a 12 gauge stock.16 and 20 gauge have smaller frame. Bobby