Guns International #: 101746110

Category - Fox Shotguns - Shotguns - 16 Gauge

Category
Fox Shotguns
Shotguns - 16 Gauge

Fox BE 16 Gauge – EARLY B ENGRAVING, UNTOUCHED, RARE!, 1 of 20, vintage firearms inc

Description:
General Specs: Fox, Year 1913, 16 Gauge, 6lbs, Chokes Cyl/IC, LOP 14 1/4", DAH 2 5/8", DAC 1 5/8"
Serial Number: 300188

They made a total of 186 Fox B Grade guns in 16ga., and only 13 of them were made prior to this gun and 7 after but before 1914.  Michael McIntosh, in his authoritative book “A.H. Fox – The Finest Gun in the World”, notes that William Gough came to A.H. Fox Gun Co. in early 1913 and began to change the engraving patterns from the “early” patterns to the second generation patterns, working on higher grades first.  McIntosh states that all grades had been transitioned by the start of 1914.  ONLY 20 FOX B GRADE 16GA. GUNS WERE PRODUCED PRIOR TO 1914, AND A FEW WERE LIKELY LATE STYLE ENGRAVING.  There cannot be more than 20, likely less than 15, early B Grade 16ga. Fox guns ever made.  THIS IS A RARE FOX.  MOST IMPORTANTLY, THIS GUN HAS ALL FACTORY FINISHES, INCLUDING THE WOOD, HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED IN ANY WAY SINCE LEAVING THE FACTORY, including the chokes, stock dimensions, chambers…not a thing!  This Fox BE 16, sn300188 shipped in 1913, left the factory with 28” #3 weight barrels factory choked Cyl/IC and 2 9/16” chambers, factory diameter at .660 both barrels, choke constrictions measure .005/.009, and the minimum barrel wall thickness is 39 thou right barrel and 37 thou left barrel.  The bores have a tiny bit of frosting in the right barrel that you will find hard to detect, and a few scattered areas of very light pitting in the left barrel, again, most will not be able to find it.  The factory blue rates at about 97% with normal wear and no pitting to be found.  The barrels are tight on the hinge pin and breech face like a new gun.  The action has a manual safety that functions as it should, the ejectors are strong and timed, the screws are all excellent and clocked, the triggers are crisp, and the top lever is well right of center.  The action retains about 15% case color if you look closely, and the engraving is sharp and clear.  The trigger guard retains about 50% blue going to patina.  The wood is original to the gun, is nicely figured both sides which is unusual for a B Grade Fox, no cracks or repairs in the buttstock, the forend has a small split on the left and right side of center, checkering is factory original and excellent, and the stock terminates in the original Fox buttplate.  WE ARE FIXING THE SPLITS IN THE WOOD ON THE FOREND BUT WANTED TO GET THE GUN UP FOR SALE IN SEPTEMBER.  THE REPAIR WILL BE INVISIBLE, SOLID, AND DONE IN 2 WEEKS. The ½ round pistol grip stock dimensions are 14 ¼ x 2 5/8 x 1 5/8 x 7/16 cast off.  I can’t think of a better Fox for your upland pursuits or vintage clays games with the factory chokes and stock dimensions.  Weighing just 6lbs., it is what makes the Fox 16ga. guns so delightful…all built on a 20ga. frame.  Rarity for sure…desirable features…attractively wooded and engraved…all the things you look for in an investment quality A.H. Fox graded small-bore.  None of the most avid Fox collectors have ever seen an early BE engraved 16ga. gun.  You will likely never see another, so don’t hesitate to own this one!  Thanks for looking.  

Barrels

Barrel Length:  28"  #3 weight 
Chokes:  .005/ .009  Cylinder/Improved Cylinder, factory  (card says cyl/ic)
Bores:  very good
Bore Diameter:  .660/ .660
Wall Thickness:  .039/ .037
% Blue:  98% factory 
Chambers:  2 1/2"
Ribs:  tight
Sights:  front silver bead

Action

Action:  tight, way right of center
Ejectors or Extractors:  ejectors, timed
Case Color:  15% faded case color factory
Screws:  excellent
Engraving:  early B style
Trigger Type:  double, crisp
Trigger Guard Color:  65% 

Stock

Type:  round pistol grip/splinter forend
LOP:  14 1/4"
LOP To End Of Wood:  13 15/16"
DAH:  2 5/8"
DAC:  1 5/8"
Cast:  Heel 7/16"off, Toe 3/8"off ON CARD
Checkering Condition:  excellent
Butt Treatment:  fox buttplate

There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on this gun. Call us for full details, or to purchase #616-292-6240. If you have any questions please call or email us. Thanks! Vintage Firearms Inc

Payment Methods: Credit Card, Money Order, Certified Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer (Advertised price reflects 3% cash discount. Actual price if paid by credit card is 3% higher.)
Inspection Period / Return Policy: Three Days from the date the item was received.
Sales Tax: Collected in AR, IL, KS, MI, PA, TN
Shipping & Insurance: Ground $195.00 within the continental U.S. Additional fees for HI & AK. We ship internationally with additional fees! (**NOTE that most all of this is INSURANCE.  If you have your own, we could arrange your insurance covering it.)
Item Condition: Used
Requires FFL?: Yes

PLEASE SEE MY OTHER FINE VINTAGE FIREARMS. Just open one of my ads and click on the line that says “see all items from this seller” and a very nice list of fine sporting and collectible arms will appear. We have many more sxs shotguns, o/u shotguns, rifles and handguns not yet listed, check back or email us for a preview. We are a Wilson Combat dealer! Thanks for looking!

We employ full time gunsmiths on premises and can perform alterations to suit your needs within a few weeks of purchase. Common requests are: -stock bending to suit your particular requirements -addition of any specified butt pad to increase length of pull -alteration of chokes to suit your shooting preferences -lengthening of chambers and forcing cones -darkening stock color with penetrating stains -restoring any part of the gun including rust blue, charcoal blue, bone and charcoal case color, wood restoration and checkering recuts. If you like one our guns but it needs "tweaked", let us know and we can quote you a time and price. Some enthusiasts like the guns "as found" and others want them "just so". We often list guns as found and let the particular buyer choose how they want their gun to fit or look.

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes
Shotgun Gauge: 16 Gauge