A.H. Fox A Grade Ejectors Pre-Savage 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun, MFD 1920 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1225
LSB#: 220415GG005
Make: A.H. Fox Gun Co.
Model: A Grade
Serial Number: 26871
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1920 (https://www.doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm)
Gauge: 12 Gauge
Action Type: Top Break Side by Side Box Lock Hammerless Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL”, the top of the left “MADE BY A.H. FOX GUN Co. PHILA. PA. U.S.A.”. The bottom of each barrel has weight stamp “4”, the barrel flat is marked “A”, “26871” and with “SECOND”. Each side of the receiver is marked “ANSLEY H. FOX” in banner and the receiver and trigger plate have Grade A scroll engraving. The water table is marked “PAT’D AUG.16-04 / AUG.1-05 OCT.17-05 JAN.16-06 / MAY 11-09 MAY 2-11 JUNE11-1?” on the left with “26871”, “A” and “SECOND” on the right. The bottom tang is marked “26871” as is the top of the forend iron. The forend iron is also marked “AUG. 18-1904 / MAY. 11-1909 / MAY. 2-1911”.
Barrel Length: The barrels have been cut to 27 3/4”
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, Both Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead mounted to the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely serrated to reduce glare.
Weight: 7 lb.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, round-bottom pistol grip, straight comb and ventilated black rubber Pachmayr White Line recoil pad. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack at the bottom-rear of the forend and another at the right-rear where there is also a more notable ding. The wrist has a very small loss at the bottom-front corner on the left. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures approximately 14 3/4? and 13 7/8? from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the recoil pad, 13 3/4? and 12 7/8? to the back of the wood. The drop at comb is approximately 1 5/8?, drop at heel 3 1/4?. The pad is still fairly supple showing minor wear. The stocks rate in Good-Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: The case color appears Original, the blued parts have been Refinished.
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 92% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrels’ finish is generally strong with a few light nicks and scuffs, most notable on the bottom of the left barrel in front of the forend, and light wear from the forend which is concealed when assembled. There are a few spots of minor erosion and light nicks which are under the finish. The receiver has handling wear toward the bottom-rear with stronger color toward the top-rear and very strong color on the bottom of the receiver around the triggers. There are infrequent spots of faint surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as partially refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. 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 1920, the heyday of A.H. Fox, during the Roaring ’20s when post-war America was booming and Fox guns were selling as well as ever. 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. For the dedicated Fox collector, this A Grade would make a great addition to a collection. Better still, with its good bores and tight lockup, this shotgun can still serve, nearly 100 years later, to take down flesh or clay birds in style. Please see our photos and good luck!