Fox Collectors

I am looking to buy my first Fox to use for hunting (quail, grouse, pheasant) and some fun clays shooting.

I'm not a collector, so I'm not too concerned with having a gun that is historically perfect or represents some significant stage in the developement of Fox guns. I just want a gun that will work well in the field, looks cool, and elicits some sort of nostalgia for the glory days of American shotgun manufacturing and hunting.

What research I have done so far on American shotguns has led me to beilieve that Fox would work well for me. I have been looking at A (AE) grade guns, primarily because of the price. I seemed to have ruled out any Utica guns or Sterlingworths, is that a fair thing to do?

Can you offer some guidance on how I should find a good gun and how I can determine what a fair price is for a gun?

Here are two guns that I peaked my interest lately, any comments:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976992404/Gu ... e_12ga.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/976990377/Gu ... hia_AE.htm

I realize that the second gun has been restocked. Should this be a big concern given that I'm not a "collector"? It looks like a nice stock.

Jeff: Welcome! The A Grade Fox is a excellent choice for you purposes. The guns your are looking at seem like good solid shooters.
Comments
Gun1: The style of the stock and checkering make me believe this is a Utica gun. There is nothing wrong with a Utica gun they normally have better stock dimensions. However, this gun has over 3" of drop which is a problem for most modern day shooters.
Gun2: I personally would avoid a restocked gun unless the stocker could be documented. Fixing wood problems can be very expensive. If the gun was re-stocked by a reputable craftsman I would have no problem with it.

If I were looking for a nice shooter, I would look for a nice condition early style A-Grade 12-gauge. They often have some really great Juglans regia stocks for an entry level gun. Don't feel you have to buy the first gun you find. Keep looking until you find something that really fits you, or something you can get into at the right price that can be stocked to your demensions. For a "shooter" I would stay away from guns with the early style ejectors.

The first gun you showed has a mid-1920s serial number, but that sure looks like a later Savage-era full pistol grip stock to my eye. I doubt many people in this day and age would be comfortable with the listed 3 1/4 inch drop-at-heel on a "shooter" gun.

The second gun probably has a lot to be said for it, but personally I don't much like 26-inch barrel guns, especially in 12-gauge.

I've been shooting this 3-weight 28-inch Krupp barrel 1914-vintage A-Grade for 42 years. It dispatched five of the gaudy imports today, though this picture is from a couple of years ago. It was ordered out in 1914 with a 2 1/4 inch drop-at-heel but only a 13 1/2 inch length-of-pull, so I been using the lace on pad for over 2/3s of my life.

Jeff,

My $.02 is probably worth less than that, but here it is:

You gonna shoot it, or you gonna collect it? If you you're gonna collect it, originality and condition is everything; end of story. Look only at Philly guns, and I hope your wallet is large.

If you're gonna shoot it, don't overlook the Utica Foxes, Better stock dimension, more modern chamber lengths. The "fit & finish" crap you'll hear is pretty much bs; the parts that work are still the same, and better than most any other double gun around; the "fit and finish" is better than you'll ever care about.

Just from my perspective, there's nothing more worthless than a 12ga. with 26" barrels. Don't much care for them at all, but on a 12...well.

Good luck, and enjoy the hunt...

Fin

P.S. Sterlingworths rule; don't dismiss them.

Jeff,Back in Sept/07 I purchased the 1st fox #976992404 from that same gentleman in California. That fox has a set of chicopee falls barrels. My friend Mike Campbell who posts here posted a question on 9/5/07 asking for information on such barrels. Reseacher and others answered. If you look at Mike's posts and go to the 9/5/07 you will see it. The gun was made in 1926, stock and forend do not match,& the stock is really low. Hope this helps. Joe Espinoza

Jeff I forgot to tell ya that I sent the gun back,Larry gave a full refund.

Joe, it's good to see you here. Watch out, before long you'll be selling all those SX-1's and lusting for more and more Foxes. Frank

Guys,

Thanks for your comments, they are all very helpful and insightful. Particularily when someone had already owned the gun that I was looking at - Thanks Joe.

I'll keep looking for the right gun.

Jeff McD

Jeff, I just purchased your #2 gun a couple weeks ago for something less than the asking price. Nice overall gun, you could have done worse. If your looking for a project gun as in restock, reblue(sp) etc. there are a couple of Fox AE 12's for sale under $2000 at guns america that might be worth looking at.

J Chase