Even though the doubles you see here don’t look related, they share a feature that makes them cousins, or maybe even step brothers.
This feature is the rotary-fastening top bolt. The rotary-fastening top bolt was invented by Alexander T. Brown in 1883. A year later it found its first use on the side-by-side shotguns made built by a company owned by Lyman Cornelius Smith. The guns built by A.H Fox used a similar rotary-fastening top bolt, although the rest of Ansley’s shotguns are much different.
I’ve always like L.C. Smiths. I think they’re just as nice as Foxes — especially LCs like the 16 gauge below.
LC Smith 16 GA, grade 2E SxS Shotgun: 28″ barrels that are choked full right and full left. Both bores are .661. Barrels are 80-85% original blue. Checkering is sharp and un-damaged. Engraving is sharp and clear, original case color remains at about 20% or so. The gun has great ejectors. Capped pistol grip stock with splinter fore-end. LOP is 14 1/2″ to a 1-1/4″ Whiteline pad. DAC 1 3/4, DAH 2 1/2. It has a 3 position safety. Manufactured in 1906. Price: $2,950
This 20g Fox CE is a hard gun to find. Fox made just 413 C-grades in 20 gauge. The first one (CE #200,011) left the factory on September 17, 1912 . This one was built 11 years later in 1923. While its price seems high, it’s not crazy. A minty, original one like this is worth $18,000+.
A.H. Fox CE Grade 20ga Double Barrel Shotgun: 26″ barrels with Improved Cylinder & Modified chokes. Ejectors, single trigger, 14-3/8″ LOP, 5-3/4 pounds. Serial number 202010, 85% original barrel blue, outstanding wood & receiver with crisp engraving. Tight action, mint bores, a very nice high grade Fox 20ga. Price $11,950
