AE | Dogs and Doubles

This week’s 5 guns you don’t want to miss…

February 2, 2020January 31, 2020 by Gregg

Beautiful and rare Parker AHE Grade 12 Bore: Beautiful and high art AHE 12ga gun. Made with 30″ Acme steel barrels, straight stock, and double triggers. The gun features superb engraving with 13 animals engraved in beautiful full coverage scroll. Beautiful buttstock with thick comb. When you study a gun like this, it is easy to see why Parker Bros. sold nearly 250k shotguns in their time in business! Overall the gun is in excellent condition. The stocks have been expertly restored and retain nearly all of their hand rubbed oil finish. Barrels have been expertly restored and retain virtually all of their proper, toned blue. Action retains about 80% case color over the well defined and deep engraving. This is an extremely beautiful gun with a lot of merit. If you have been looking for a fairly priced high grade Parker, look no further. Price: $15,500

A.H. Fox AE SXS Double Trigger Ejectors 16 GA 27-15/16″ barrel: Stock has a few light handling marks but is in Excellent condition. LOP measures 14-1/4″. Drop at the heel measures 2-7/16″ and the comb measures 1-9/16″. Bore is smooth and shiny, looks excellent. The chamber wall thickness measures 5mm. Barrels look great. Both barrels are modified chokes. Gun is in excellent condition and ready for hunting. Price: $4,999.99

Charles Daly Prussian 12 Gauge (Lightweight Model): 28″ Chokes: IC – MOD L.O.P. : 14 1/2″ Drop: 1 1/2″C x 2 1/4″H Weight: 6 lbs 8 oz Ser. #: 11555. Price: $4,950

Ed Kettner 24-gauge SxS: This is a sweet and trim little double. Ketnner made very high quality doubles. It has just been restocked and looks great. The 24 ga.was the European ga. for European woodcock. Serial Number: 2686. Barrels: 281/4 inches. Action: extractor. Triggers: double. Stock Comb: 1 & 1/2. Stock Heel: 2 & 3/8. Stock Cast: 1/4. Fore End: semi BT. Butt Pad: plastic. LOP: 14 & 3/4 inches. Weight: 5 lbs. 7 oz.. Chokes: ic/mod. Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 30 thou. Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 30 thou. Price: $4450.

BERETTA – SxS – – 426E – 20ga 28″ – SST – Ejectors: Raised Solid Rib, Ejectors, Single Selective Trigger, LOP 14-1/4, Drop 1-1/2 to 2-1/2″, Neutral Cast, Weight 6 lbs 4 oz. Metal is Excellent 98+%. Gun is mechanically perfect – very tight with lever well right of center. Wood has been refinished, and the sharp points of the checkering was taken down. Price: $1940

How much?! Crazy bidding on this 20g A.H. Fox AE SxS …..

November 3, 2018 by Gregg

A.H. FOX ~ AE GRADE 20-GAUGE, SINGLE-TRIGGER, EJECTORS, 30" BBLS, RARE GUN!!...MFD 1920 — A.H. FOX ~ AE GRADE 20-GAUGE, SINGLE-TRIGGER, EJECTORS, 30″ BBLS, RARE GUN!!…MFD 1920

I like Fox shotguns, but after seeing the bidding action on this 20g AE, I can see some guys like them a LOT more than I do. It’s on Gunauction.com now and the listing ends November 4, 2018, @ 5:03 pm.

A.H. Fox made side-by-side shotguns in three gauges: 12, 16 & 20. Of these, the twenties are the scarcest. That being said, 20g Fox shotguns are far from rare, and a typical double barrel, A-grade 20 gauge goes for $3,500 – $4,500. As you can see, this one has popped ahead of those prices, and it’s on track to sell for a lot more.

Why? Four reasons: It has a single trigger, it has 30″ barrels, it has ejectors (the “E” in AE), and it has some decent color-case hardening on the action. Those features plus the decent condition put this gun in the real-hard-to-find category.

On top of that, a lot of guys are just nuts when it comes to vintage American shotguns.

A.H. FOX ~ AE GRADE 20-GAUGE, SINGLE-TRIGGER, EJECTORS, 30″ BBLS, RARE GUN!!…MFD 1920, C&R OK, NO RESERVE: Here’s a rather scarce A.H. Fox shotgun. Manufactured in Philadelphia, this is an AE Grade chambered for 20-gauge shells. It has a number of desirable features. As an AE, it naturally has automatic ejectors. Additionally, this gun is equipped with the Fox-Kautzky single-selective trigger, has 30-inch barrels, and 2-3/4″ chambers. The barrels and frame are made of “Chromox” high-pressure fluid steel. The frame is engraved in the A-pattern typical of the period. The butt is of the half pistol grip design, the forestock is of the splinter design with Deeley style latch.

Overall condition is very good. There is still case colors present on the frame in the more protected areas…I’d call it about 20-30% or so. The barrels retain most of their original blue finish but there are a few areas of thinning and some very minor spots of surface freckling. I’d call the barrel finish about 85% overall. There are no dents or pits. The stocks are in good condition but have been professionally refinished. Length of pull measures 13-1/2″; Drop @ Heel is 2-1/8″; Drop @ Comb is 1-1/2″. This gun functions well. Lock up is good with no significant looseness. The single trigger functions as it should, as do both ejectors and the automatic safety. Both bores are bright and free of any pitting. Choke constrictions measure approximately .016″ (about Modified choke) in both barrels. Weight is 6-pounds, 6-ounces. According to available serial number information, this Fox was manufactured in about 1920. A nice and rather unusual gun that’s fast approaching her 100th birthday!

American classics: a Parker VH, a A.H. Fox AE & a Lefever FE…

November 25, 2013 by Gregg

Parker VH 12 ga, 28” barrels on a 1 ½ frame: Clean shiny bores, rib has two ivory beads. LOP is 14.25”to an original butt plate. The butt plate is in great condition and you can clearly see the detail of the wood cock the dog is holding in its mouth. Drop at the comb is 1.75” and drop at the heel is 2.75”. Bores are choked F/F. Has some original case coloring on the sides of the box lock action. The bluing is original and very good, but it is beginning to wear thin in a couple of areas. Wood is solid, no cracks or gouges and this is a very nice clean original Parker on a desirable frame size. SN is 2129XX, and the Parker Association says this gun will letter. Price: $1,800

Early 12 ga Fox AE SxS, Factory straight grip, 30" bbls — Early 12 ga Fox AE SxS, Factory straight grip, 30″ bbls

12 ga Fox AE SxS, Factory straight grip, 30″ bbls: Case colors have faded. Barrels are smooth and shiny inside, single brass bead. The ribs are problem free and the wood is in very good condition too. The gun originally belonged to a man named George Eshias. I have been told that he was an Americana of Armenian heritage and that he was a famous hero in WW1 and that he fought with distinction in the US Army. I have not taken the time to confirm this, but his name has been engraved into the top of the left chamber . (Look at the photos) Hard to believe that his family let this heirloom go but life does get complicated at times. LOP is 14” and drop at the comb is 1.75, drop at the Heel is 3”. Barrels are choked F/F. Price: $2,600

Lefever FE 12 ga with 30” Damascus barrels and twin Ivory beads: Nice Silvers recoil pad and a LOP of 13.5”, Drop at comb of 2” and drop at heel of 3”. The ejectors work nicely and the gun locks up tightly. The bores are very good and this gun is ready for the field and some RST ammo!! It does have an old repair on the fingers by the triggers. The repair has been looked at by two different reputable gunsmiths and both independently agreed that the old repair is good and is nothing to worry about. Barrels are M/IM. Price: $1,700.00

The high cost of condition – a 16 gauge Lefever H and a 20 gauge A.H. Fox AE…

July 2, 2013 by Gregg

LEFEVER "H" GRADE 16 GAUGE Double Barrel SHOTGUN — LEFEVER “H” GRADE 16 GAUGE Double Barrel SHOTGUN

There aren’t a few rules to gun collecting. “Cash rules” is one of them. So is “Oral agreements are worth the paper they’re written on.”

Another rule is “Original condition is king”. The more of it a double has, the more it costs (and “restored” never compares to original). The side-by-sides below are perfect examples of the high prices that shotguns in original condition can command. Check them out to see what original finishes really look like, and how much they’ll cost you.

LEFEVER “H” GRADE 16 GAUGE SHOTGUN: 16 gauge, 28″ damascus steel barrels, double triggers, extractors, and top lever opening. Checkered forend and pistol grip buttstock measuring 14″ to a factory buttplate. Comb: 1 3/4″ Heel: 3″ Weight: 6lbs 11oz. Retaining 99% original barrel brown, 99% plus vivid casehardened finish. Beautiful wood and checkering. Appears unused. Mint bores. Chokes: mod & full. Price: $6750.00

A H Fox A Grade 20 Gauge Automatic Ejectors Philadelphia: A H FOX, PHIL., A GRADE 20 GAUGE, 26″ BARRELS. EXCELLENT BLUE, MIRROR BORES, IC & MODIFIED (RIGHT BARREL .007, LEFT .017), CLEARLY MARKED NUMBER FOUR BARREL WEIGHT. AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, ATTRACTIVE DEEP CUT ENGRAVING, LIGHT CASE COLOR, TOP LEVER TO THE FAR RIGHT, VERY STRONG EJECTORS. MOST OF THE BLUE ON THE TRIGGER GUARD. ROUND KNOB PISTOL GRIP STOCK, SPLINTER FOREARM, EXCELLENT WOOD, PERFECT CHECKERING. ORIGINAL BUTTPLATE, 1 1/2 X 2 5/8″ X 14 1/8″, 5 POUNDS 8 OUNCES. MADE IN 1926. ALL ORIGINAL FINISH. NICE LITTLE FOX. Price: $5,000.00

Good gun alert: 16 gauge A.H. Fox AE, straight grip, 2-barrel set…

June 28, 2013 by Gregg

Here’s another nice Fox that just hit the market. The price seems a little high, but as sellers always say: Go find another one for less. If you try, I bet you’ll be looking for a long time.

Fox AE 16 Gauge Two barrel set with Single Selective Trigger, Straight grip stock: Very nice Fox AE grade 16 Gauge Fox Two barrel set with Kautzky single selective trigger and one set of 28″ barrels and another 30″ set. TWO forends! Straight grip English style stock with 14″ Length of Pull to one inch leather covered pad. Stock is original to the gun, and so serial numbered. Splinter forends. Gun was sent back to Fox after it was built to have the second set of barrels and forend fitted. Both sets of barrels and both forends carry the gun’s serial number. Gun is very well balanced, and I have used it to hunt pheasants the last two seasons. Serial number is 303xxx. Gun weighs 6lbs 13 ounces with the 30″ barrels and 6 lbs 7 ozs. with the 28″ barrels. 28″ barrels are choked IC / MOD and 30″ barrels are choked Full / IMP Mod. Price: $8,995.00

Good gun alert: a decent looking A.H. Fox AE-grade 12 gauge…

June 24, 2013 by Gregg

Ansley H. Fox A Grade Double Barrel Shotgun 12 Gauge With Ejectors

When it comes to American doubles, it’s hard to beat a A.H. Fox SxS. Simple and rugged, Foxes like this Fox AE Grade 12 Gauge used to be the shotgun of choice for thousands of hunters. Today, they’re just as useful. If you’re looking for a nice vintage double to use and be proud of, this could be it.

Here’s more about it from the seller:

Ansley H. Fox A Grade 12 Gauge With Ejectors: This hard to find A grade has factory ejectors. The case color is still strong for the age of the shotgun. Someone has added a pad to the gun but it is still quite nice. The lever is past center. 2 3/4″ chambers, 30″ bbls, Full 7 Full. 13 3/4″ LOP from front trigger to Jostam pad, 7 1/2lbs. Price: $2,099.99

Born to hunt grouse: a rare A.H. Fox 20 gauge AE grade side-by-side…

February 5, 2013February 5, 2013 by Gregg

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 gun company billed their A grades as “…a gun that the discriminating sportsman will appreciate as to price and workmanship. It is not a cheap gun, but a more than good gun at a reasonable figure, and can be built to your own specifications without extra charge. The material and fittings are of superior FOX class.”

A.H. Fox made fewer than 4,000 graded 20 gauges, so any one you come across is a good find. And if you’ve ever thought about buying one, I suggest you act quickly. This auction is endings soon. Who knows when you’ll see another nice 20g Fox like it again?

Here’s more about the gun from the seller’s description:

From my personal collection. Very pretty little AE Grade 20 gauge Fox Gun. SN 203xx, marked “Made by A.H. Fox Gun Co Philadelphia PA USA” on barrels and “Ansley H Fox” on receiver sides. 2-3/4″ chambers, “Chromox Fluid Compressed Steel” marked on the 26″ tubes, choked Imp/Full (.015″/0.030″) 99% blue, 97% wood with some scraps and small hunting dings, 98% original case, perfect bores, no dents, no bulges, perfect mechanicals perfect, ejector operation, weight 6 pounds, stocked 1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ x 14-1/4″ right hand shoot cast.In it’s original leather Leg of Mutton case. Great gun!