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LOT 3485
Factory Engraved A. H. Fox XE Grade Double Barrel Shotgun with Extra Barrel Set - Serial no. 24466,
12 gauge, 30 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1917 and built with blued
steel barrels featuring dual white bead sights on the matted solid rib, “CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE
BY A. H. FOX GUN Co. PHILA. PA. U.S.A.” marked on the right and left tubes respectively, 2 inch wedges of floral scroll at either
breech, and chambers measured 2 1/2 inches with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to a casehardened action which displays the
classic XE Grade engraving with a pair of ducks in flight on the left, a pair of grouse on the right, and a pair of quail on the underside all
surrounded by highly attractive scrollwork. The gun features a Fox-Kautzky single trigger with gold inlaid indicators and a tang mounted
automatic safety. The gun is mounted with a nicely figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend with casehardened and engraved fittings as well as a round knob pistol
grip stock with checkered flats and leather faced rubber recoil pad. Included is a second barrel set numbered “31058” with matching engraving, its own beavertail forend, and chambers
measured 2 3/4 inches. Barrel measurements for the extra set (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .728/.726 inches; choke constriction .038/.036 inches; minimum wall thickness
.026/.026 inches. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .730/.729 inches; choke constriction .035/.039 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.027
inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 7/16 inch drop at heel; 13 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs. 3 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine overall as refurbished, retaining 97% blue finish, strong remnants of the thinning case colors in the protected areas with the balance a fine silver patina, some minor freckles
of spotting on the barrels, minor handling evidence, dried recoil pad, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. The extra barrel set is also very fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3484
Attractive Engraved and
Gold Inlaid Bert Becker
Marked Fox Upgraded
FE Special Style Double
Barrel 20 Gauge Shotgun
with Case - Serial no. 203779, 20
gauge, 27 3/4 inch vent rib bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured circa
1906 to 1940, this is an upgraded FE Grade style shotgun
which features blue barrels, as well as a casehardened
box lock receiver, trigger guard, break lever and forearm
latch assembly and hardware. Dual bead sights on the matte vent rib with two gold inlaid bars and a 2 inch wedge
of floral scroll engraving with a gold inlaid game bird on each side at the breech end. The top of the right barrel at the
breech end is marked “A.H. FOX Co. PHILA PA. U.S.A.”, and “Made By Bert Becker” on the left. Bert, or Burt, Becker was a
Philadelphia gunsmith known for developing the Fox HE Super Fox and the famous “Bo-Whoop” shotgun for outdoor writer
Nash Buckingham. The barrels have 3 inch chambers modified/full, chokes and ejectors. The action, trigger guard, break lever, tangs and forearm hardware are engraved with fine floral scroll and gold inlaid relief flower designs.
Each side of the action is gold inlaid relief engraved “ANSLEY H. FOX” in a banner, and the underside has two relief engraved gold inlaid hunting dogs. The break lever has a gold inlaid flower, and there is gold relief “MNH” on the
trigger guard. The serial number on the lower tang is also gold relief inlaid. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel flat. The water table is marked with the matching serial number, “20 GA.” and “GRADE FE/Special”.
Mounted with extra fancy floral bordered checkered walnut beaver tail forearm and round knob pistol grip stock with a serrated horn buttplate. The forearm hardware is engraved inside and out, and the inside is marked with the
matching serial number and “GRADE FE”. Drop at the heel is 2 1/4 inches, drop at the comb is 1 1/4 inches, and the length of pull is 14 7/8 inches. Complete in a tan with “P.E.H.” embossed on the lid, wine colored lining with Fox and
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. labels affixed to the inside of the lid. In the case are a two piece wooden cleaning rod, nickel oiler, two nickel snap caps, bore mop and a leather strap.
CONDITION: Very fine overall as upgraded to current configuration with 98% refinished blue remaining showing some minor thinning on the breech end, sides of the barrels, additional softening of the engraving, gold work, and
markings, and light handling/storage marks. 99% vivid case colors remain on the metal surfaces with only some slight high point wear on the fences. All of the gold inlay remains. The wood shows a few minor dents and dings, and
some minor high point wear on the otherwise sharp checkering. The markings and engraving are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with some moderate wear and scuffs on the exterior, all but one corner
protector has come off (two in the case), and one front strap guide is absent. The lining shows some minor wear. While Rock Island Auction Company cannot confirm this shotgun was upgraded by
Becker, the engraving and stockwork is quality and appears of the period, and the barrels feature the lengthened chambers and overboring that Becker was known for.
Estimate: 10,000 - 16,000