SP | Dogs and Doubles

Is this 16 gauge really an A.H. Fox?

February 26, 2018 by Gregg

A.H. Fox SP (Special) Grade 16 gauge SxS Shotgun

Take a close at this double. What do you think — Fox or not a Fox? The answer’s “all Fox, absolutely.”

This shotgun is an A.H. Fox SP grade. Introduced in 1932, SPs (SPecials) were designed streamlined versions of regular Fox shotguns. While they look a lot like a Winchester M21 on the outside, their mechanics are the same as every other Fox shotgun.

Fox SPs came in two models: standards like the one shown here and the Skeet & Upland Game Gun, which had a straight grip, a beavertail forend, and a bit of scroll engraving on the action. Both models came with or without ejectors (SPE or SP).

Fox SP Grade, from a 1938 A.H. Fox shotgun catalog

I’m not sure how many 16 gauge SP Fox made, but it’s safe to say the numbers are low.

A.H. Fox SP (Special) Grade 16 gauge SxS Shotgun: This is a very nice example of the rare SP grade Fox. 26″ barrels and chokes I believe to be imp/mod. Double triggers with automatic safety. LOP: 14″ DAC: 1 1/2″ DAH: 2 5/8″. Very shootable dimensions. The gun weighs 6 lbs 2 oz. The barrels are uncut and there is a mid bead also. The barrels are on the face and the gun locks up tight. The wood to metal fit is still rigid and there are no cracks. The checkering is in fine shape. The screws have not been buggered. The widows-peak buttplate is excellent with no cracks or chips. The wood does have some stains and small dents. The wood finish is mostly intact. This shotgun appears to have been carried more than shot. The bores are bright and shiny. There is some carry wear in the receiver bluing on the upper and lower tangs, safety, top lever. The serial number is 303436. All the serial numbers match. The barrels appear to have an old reblue which I compared to another all original high condition Fox of the 1930s. They match perfectly in color and tone. (if Julia’s Fall 2017 auction results are a market indication, this shouldn’t be much of a detractor. Several of their American doubles had been partially or completely refinished and still brought prices in line with original finish guns.) This small frame 16 gauge is a delight to carry and swing. It would make a great upland bird gun suitable for Bobwhites up to Ringnecks. These SP Foxes (Utica Savage) do not come up for sale often. The time to buy one is when you see it. Price: $3,850

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com…

January 10, 2016 by Gregg

JAMES PURDEY & SONS EJECTOR SIDELOCK 12 GA. SELF-OPENING DOUBLE SHOTGUN, CIRCA 1907: 30” barrels with 2 ½” chambers choked improved modified in both barrels. Automatic ejectors and double triggers. Center rib engraved “J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE. SOUTH AUDLEY STREET. LONDON. MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH’S FLUID PRESSED STEEL”. No “3” engraved on the both the rib and the lever. Lock plates signed with maker’s name. Checkered walnut straight grip stock and checkered splinter forend. 14 ½” pull over checkered butt. 2”, 1 ½” drop. .Best Quality rose bouquet and scroll engraving. Matching serial numbers in the 17,xxx range. All original except the barrel finish which has been expertly custom blued. Locks and frame with much of the original case hardening color and the lever and the trigger guard with most of the original blue. Stock and forend with the original finish. Forend with small sliver missing near the release button on the left side. Perfect working order and excellent bores. Price: $16,500

A.H. Fox SPE Skeet Grade 12 Gauge Side by Side: All original condition, all specs can be viewed on letter from Savage Historian, John Callahan. Price: $6,000

Model: SPE Skeet Grade
Serial Number: 34970
Chambers: 2 3/4
Ejectors: Automatic
Condition: Original
Triggers: Single selectable
Gauge: 12
Fore End: Beavertail
Manufacture Date: May 27, 1937

Winchester Model 21 Field Grade 20 Gauge 1935 Production: This Winchester was produced in 1935. The shotgun’s serial number is 5294. The barrels are 26 inches. The barrels are solid rib choked Full and Modified. It has the single selective trigger. The trigger works correctly. The safety is the automatic engaged safety. The ejectors are manual ejectors. The recoil pad is the red Winchester pad. The barrels are bright with no damage or dents. The lockup is tight. The barrels have the solid rib. This gun has seen field use and handling. There is blue loss on the underbelly of the receiver due to carrying. This is a great light handling 21 in a great gauge. This gun can give the owner many years of great service. This is one of the original condition early model 21’s that has not been “restored”. The unusual feature is the single selective trigger without the automatic ejectors on this shotgun. This feature is not commonly seen. This shotgun’s overall condition would rate a 90% condition. The overall approximate weight is 6 pounds. The length of pull is 13 and 1/2 inches. This shotgun has had only two owners. Price: $5750

Ithaca Grade 4 16 Gauge – NICE ORIGINAL GUN, 80% CASE COLOR:#376165, Made in 1924, 16 Gauge, 6lbs 7oz, Side by Side. This gun, sn376165 built in 1924, is no exception, balanced dead on the hinge pin and weighing 6lbs. 7oz. it is a delight in hand. Retaining 80% factory case color, gorgeous engraving, checkering, and wood, this gun is a work of art at a very affordable price. It has great barrels with plenty of wall thickness, mirror bores, choked perfect for upland game, and with nice shooting dimensions it has everything a shooter/collector might want. Price: $4,950.00

Barrel Length: 26″
Chokes: .013/.028 LM/F
Bores: mirror
Bore Diameter: .670/.668
Wall Thickness: .029/.028
% Blue: 100%
Chambers: 2 3/4″
Ribs: tight
Sights: single
Action: tight, way right of center
Ejectors or Extractors: extractors
Case Color: 80% fading
Screws: excellent
Engraving: clear, sharp
Trigger Type: double, crisp
Trigger Guard Color: 93%
Type: capped pistol grip/splinter forend
LOP: 14″
LOP To End Of Wood: 13 5/8″
DAH: 2 5/8″
DAC: 1 11/16″
Cast: 1/8″ off
Checkering Condition: very good
Butt Treatment: factory plate

C. Hellis & Sons Boxlock SxS 12ga/28″ IC/Full: Case colored boxlock with double triggers, straight grip stock, auto-ejectors, splinter forend, and checkered butt. Lop measures 14″ with 1 1/4oz proof and 2 3/4″ chambers. Condition is very good overall with strong color case and excellent barrel blue. This is a very nice gun overall. Price: $3,995

Good Gun Alert-Foxes 20g SP, 12g Skeet & Upland Game & more…

February 14, 2011 by Gregg

Rock Island Auctions has a few rare A.H. Fox double barrel shotguns coming up at their regional auction this weekend.

One is this 20 gauge SP. A.H. Fox made introduced the SP grade in 1935. You can read all about them here.

This 12 gauge Skeet & Upland Game is the other rare Fox. This is another grade that A.H. Fox introduced in 1935. You can read more about it here.

There are also a bunch of Sterlingworths at this auction, like this 20 gauge and this one in 16. There’s also this real clean looking 16 gauge in A grade.