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LOT 1502
Incredibly Rare, Iconic Special Order Factory Engraved A. H. Fox XE/HE Grade “Super-Fox” Double Barrel Shotgun with J. T. Callahan Letter - Serial no. 29007, 12 gauge, 32 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. The Super-Fox was developed in 1922 as a collaboration with Western Cartridge Company for their revolutionary Super X shotshells. John Olin developed the new cartridges for his company, along with Charles Askins, Sr., the best known gun writer in the country at the time. While testing the cartridges, they discovered that they performed best through an A.H. Fox shotgun that had been bored out by Philadelphia gunsmith, Burt Becker.
Collector’s Fact
According to A.H. Fox: The Finest Gun in the World by Michael McIntosh, only 300 Super-Fox guns are believed to have been built, approximately 240 in 12 gauge.
Becker then worked with Fox to develop what would come to be known as the Super-Fox. Blued
steel barrels with dual bead sights on the concave matted solid rib, barrels marked “CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE BY A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA. U.S.A.” on the right and left respectively, and chambers measured
3 inches with automatic ejectors with the “Barrels Not Guaranteed” marking on the barrel flats. The casehardened boxlock action displays XE Grade engraving featuring oak leaf designs around game bird scenes on the left and right
of the action as well as a fox on the underside. The gun features an added Miller single selective trigger and an automatic
tang mounted safety switch. Lightly figured, multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings, including the Deeley
latch release, and highly figured round knob pistol grip Monte Carlo stock with checkered flats and brown rubber recoil pad. Per page 229 of Michael McIntosh’s “A. H. Fox: The Finest Gun in the World” only a total of 300 Super-Fox guns are believed to have been built, approximately 240 of which were chambered in 12 gauge, but only a handful were engraved beyond the standard, relatively plain HE engraving, including the famous XH/HE Bo-Whoop of writer Nash Buckingham which was manufactured after this example. In fact, according to McIntosh’s “A.H. Fox: The Finest Gun in the World” the earliest known engraved HE Grade to the author was number 29090, 83 after this example, possibly making this the earliest known engraved Super-Fox! The included J. T. Callahan letter confirms the current gauge, grade, engraving, barrel length, chamber length, and Monte Carlo stock when it was shipped to a C. A. Sharvhau of an unknown address on July 25, 1923 (letter lists 1913 but this appears to be a typo as the Super-Fox was not introduced until 1922 and A. H. Fox serial number dates place this gun in 1923). Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .738/.740 inches; choke constriction .045/.045 inches; minimum wall thickness .035/.039 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 3/4 inch drop at heel; 13 5/8 inch length of pull; weight 9 lbs. 7 oz. CONDITION: Fine as refurbished, retaining 85% plus blue finish, traces of original case colors in the protected areas with the balance an attractive silver patina, some plum/brown coloration in the blue, a few areas of scattered spotting, and overall mild handling evidence. The wood is also fine with a slightly ill-fitting recoil pad on the shortened stock, a few light marks, heavy gloss finish, and worn but well-defined checkering. Some welds done to the barrel lugs and underside of the trigger guard, otherwise mechanically excellent. Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000
wedges of scrollwork engraved at either breech, and chambers measured 2 3/4 inches with automatic ejectors.
The casehardened boxlock action displays beautifully executed leafy vine engraving surrounding “ANSLEY H. FOX” and a pair of game birds
in ovals on either side and a fox standing in a field scene on the underside. The engraving extends to the tangs, toplever, and trigger guard which is also inlaid with a gold “MS” for the original owner. The gun features a single selective trigger and a tang mounted manual safety switch. Beautiful, highly figured multi-point checkered splinter forend with ebony tip insert and engraved fittings, including the Deeley style release and straight grip stock with a leather faced red rubber recoil
pad. The included factory letter confirms the grade, barrel length, and special features when it was shipped to the firm of Gus Habich, Indianapolis, IN, on December 15, 1915. Also included is a canvas and leather bound takedown case. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .728/.730 inches;
choke constriction .037/.038 inches; minimum wall thickness .020/.016 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 1 15/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/16inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 15 oz. CONDITION: Very fine as masterfully partially restored, retaining 99% blue finish on the barrels, 30% original blue on the trigger guard, and 50% original case colors with the balance an attractive silvered patina. The gun shows only minor handling evidence with a tiny spot of subsurface pitting on the left barrel. The wood is also very fine with beautiful color and sharp recut checkering. The case is very fine. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
LOT 1503
Special Order Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid A. H. Fox XE Grade Double Barrel Shotgun with Case and Factory Letter - Serial no. 22796, 12 gauge, 30 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Blued Krupp Fluid Steel barrels with dual white bead sights on the matted concave solid rib, standard Philadelphia barrel markings, attractive
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