Hunting dogs, fine firearms, and enjoying both.
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on May 10th, 2013
Yeah, that’s right – a 4 gauge. The shotgun for the manliest man. Back in the 19th century, 4 gauges guns were used for everything from big-game in Africa to waterfowl in US and UK. The 4s came in a number chamber sizes–2 3/4″, 3″ , 3 7/8″, and 4″– and they pushed up to [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Apr 1st, 2013
When it comes to collecting, original condition rules. The more of it a shotgun has, the more collector’s will pay for it. But some prices can be too high, regardless of how crisp and original an item is. That’s what I thought when I saw this A.H. Fox A-grade. While it sure looks nice and [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Mar 14th, 2013
The side-by-sides made by A.H. Fox as classic and American as double-barrel shotguns get. A.H. Foxes came in a number of grades. The Sterlingworths were their entry level shotguns. Today, they’re the ones you see all the time on the used markets. Fox’s graded doubles go from A to F. There’s no E, and there’s [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Feb 5th, 2013
The ultimate grouse gun: I’ve been searching for it for years. This 20 gauge A.H. Fox AE double barrel shotgun on Gunbroker could be it. With double triggers, decent stock dimensions (1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ x 14-1/4) and lots of original condition, it’s pretty much all I could want in an American side-by-side. The A.H. Fox [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Jan 3rd, 2013
Twelve-gauge Fox Sterlingworths are one of the most popular American side-by-side shotguns ever made. The A.H Fox Company started making them in 1910 and by the time Savage Arms ended the line around 1942, over 110,000 Sterlingworths in 12g had been turned out. So today, good ones, and even ones with a lot of original [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Nov 20th, 2012
Looking for a vintage American shotgun for grouse and woodcock? Then I would call about this little A.H. Fox 20 gauge Sterlingworth side-by-side right away. Cabela’s has it and it just popped up on Gunsinternational.com. With 28″ barrels, ejectors, and some nice original finish, it’s a tough double to find. The price is pretty fair, [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Jun 20th, 2012
Sixteen gauge A.H. Fox Sterlingworth double barrel shotguns are not hard to find — unless you’re looking for one with 30″ barrels AND ejectors. I’m not sure how many Fox made in this configuration, but the number has to be darn small. That makes this one coming up to auction at the end of June [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Jun 14th, 2012
Fox Sterlingworths have been the “gateway” double barrels for a lot of guys, including me. My first side-by-side was a 12 gauge Sterlingworth and many wild South Dakota pheasants fell to that shotgun. If you’re looking for something more of an entry-level grouse gun, this 20 gauge Sterlingworth looks like it may go for a [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Jul 10th, 2011
American used to be full of gunmakers, especially toward the end of the 19th century. From the big boys like Colt and Winchester to tiny guys like Krider and Tonks, these operations turned out everything from mass-produced pistols to top quality, custom made double-barrel shotguns. Joseph Jakob was one of these tiny guys. Based on [...]
Posted in DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS on Jan 24th, 2011
Hang around gunshops and auctions for a while and there’s a word you’re bound to here: Investment, as in this gun is a great investment. Whenever you hear it, be wary. A 12 gauge Krider double barrel percussion shotgun that has been a market recently is a good example of why. John Krider was an [...]
