A.H. Fox Model A Grade 12 GA 28.75″ SxS Double Barrel Shotgun 1916 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1280
LSB#: 220106RP004
Make: A.H. FOX
Model: A Grade
Serial Number: 22650
Year of Manufacture: 1916 (https://doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Top-Break Dual Trigger Side by Side with Extractor
Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “KRUPP FLUID STEEL MADE BY” and the top of the left barrel is marked “A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA.”. Both sides of the receiver are marked “ANSLEY H. FOX”. The water table is marked with the serial number, “A”, and “PAT’D DEC. 2 1902 / AUG. 16 1904 – AUG. 1 1905/ OCT. 17 1905 – JAN. 16 1906”. The bottom tang is marked “22650”. The forend iron is marked “22650”. The barrel flat is marked “A 22650”, “FOX / PROOF”, and “12 GA.”. The bottom of both barrels is marked “H-FLUID-STEEL-KRUPP”. The sides of the receiver both have banners that read “ANSLEY H. FOX”. The receiver has deep scroll engraving.
Barrel Length: 29 3/4”
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a metal bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is serrated to reduce glare.
Weight: 7 lb., 15 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and aftermarket rubber buttpad. The forend is a replacement. The forend can come off without the use of the latch. The forend latch screws are proud to the wood. There is a small hairline crack on the top of the wrist at the rear of the tang. There are some little nicks into the wood on the top edge of the forend at the very front. There are some scattered scuffs, compressions, areas of thinning, and spots of finish loss. There are some areas of oil staining and discoloration. The checkering is mostly strong but has rub wear. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ and 14 3/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttpad, 13 3/4″ and 12 7/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad has some scattered light wear. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 3/8″. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There are a couple of spots of faint surface erosion in the bores. There is a small dent on the left bore just behind the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its new metal finish. The receiver has lost the majority of its finish, the strongest case color is under the lever. There are areas of discoloration from previous oxidation on the receiver. The barrel set has mottled thinning and mottled discoloration scattered throughout. There are a few spots of erosion on the barrel set, most noticeable on the chambers. There are scattered spots of discoloration from previous oxidation. There are a few scattered nicks and marks through the finish. There is a small dent on the bottom of the left barrel just behind the muzzle. The forend screws are proud to the wood and the forend can come off without the use of the latch. The bottom of the rib is starting to separate from the barrels at the muzzle but the barrels still ring. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The bottom of the rib is starting to separate from the barrels at the muzzle but the barrels still ring. The forend can be removed without the use of the latch but the action functions correctly. The barrels lock-up to the receiver with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Ansley Fox was one of the earliest American innovators with internal hammer double guns. In 1894, at the age of 19, he was issued a patent on a system of cocking the internal hammers of a break-action gun using leverage from the barrels with his design actually containing nineteen patentable features, according to the U.S. Patent office. Fox would continue on, making it his life’s work to produce “The finest gun in the world” (as well as the finest car in the world and a few other manufacturing ventures). He even gained the praise of Theodore Roosevelt who wrote to Mr. Fox in a letter “The double-barreled shotgun has come, and I really think it is the most beautiful gun I have ever seen. I am exceedingly proud of it. I am almost ashamed to take it to Africa and expose it to the rough usage it will receive. But now that I have it, I could not possibly make up my mind to leave it behind. I am extremely proud that I am to have such a beautiful bit of American workmanship with me”. The A.H. Fox Gun Co. would continue producing shotguns of various grades and chambered for various gauges through the late 1920s, when they fell victim to the Great Depression and were acquired by Savage Arms. This example is a 12 gauge A Grade, produced in 1916, quite early for an A.H. Fox. Today, A.H. Fox shotguns are quite collectible. As Fox’s reputation was built on quality, their success didn’t necessarily mean that a huge number of guns were made. Please see our photos and good luck!