Here’s another head scratcher: It’s a Fox 16g/20g B-grade with the later style engraving. It could be a fantastic find — or a Caitlyn-Jenner-esque SxS (something that’s not quite what it used to be). Either way, I would get a factory letter on this Fox before I closed the deal.
Ansley H. Fox was shipping his first SxSs by by 1906. These were all 12s. The company shipped its first smallbore on September 17, 1912 (a CE Grade 20g, No. 200011). A.H. Fox made around 7580 smallbores (16g & 20g only) across all grades (A, B, C, X, D, F, SP/SPE, Trap/Skeeter, Special). Of those, 3875 or so were 16 gauges. Around 186 of those were Bs. So this is a rare American shotgun.
This B has two sets of barrels, each with their own forend. The 16g bbls were on this gun when it was made and the 20s were added by Fox at a later date (according to the seller, anyway). It sounds like the 16 gauge set has extractors and the 20 gauge set has ejectors. The stock looks nice and high, and the seller says it has a 14 3/8″ LOP. I’m sure how original it’s, though.
I can’t make up my mind about the finishes on this gun. They may be original or they may be refinished — either by the factory or by someone else. And the gun may be restocked. This may have been by Fox when the 20 gauge barrels were added or at a later date by someone else. Whatever happened, the checkering on it now certainly doesn’t look original. It’s either new or recut.
Ansley H. Fox B/BE Grade 16/20 Gauge SxS Shotgun: Price: $6,759.99
Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: Made as a B Grade in 1918. Sent back to have 20 gauge Ejector Barrels fitted.
Caliber: 16 gauge (28″) and 20 (26″) gauge barrels
Chambers: 20 gauge is chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells
Metal Condition: Very Good – Case Hardening color is still visible.
Wood Condition: Very Good – Some small dings
Bore Condition: Very Good
Barrels: 16 ga = 28″ / 20 ga. = 26
Triggers: Double Trigger
Stock: Checkered Walnut Pistol Grip
Stock Dimensions: 14 3/8 inch LOP
Fore End: Checkered Walnut
Butt Pad: New Factory Reproduction
Weight: 16 gauge = 5 lbs. 10 ozs. 20 gauge = 6 lbs.
Sights: Brass Bead Front Sight
Chokes: I CYL/MOD on both barrels
Item Location: Garner, NC
