Thanks to everyone who responded to my Original or Redone post about the 20 gauge A.H. Fox CE 20 gauge shotgun. For everyone who is wondering, the gun is…all original.
Like I said in my first post, 20g CE-grade Fox shotguns are rare doubles — especially in this kind of condition. The 30″ barrels are also nice, and super hard to find in a small bore Philadelphia Fox.
This fantastic little side-by-side sold for $18,630 at James D. Julia Auctioneer’s October 1st & 2nd, 2012. Here’s the entire listing from the sale:
EXCEPTIONAL INVESTMENT QUALITY FOX CE SINGLE TRIGGER 20 GAUGE GAME GUN: SN 202627. (1926) Cal. 20 ga. 2-5/8″ Chambers. 30″ Bbls with concave, matted game rib, fitted with two ivory beads, is stamped “CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE BY A. H. FOX GUNS CO. PHILA. PA. U. S. A.” on tops. Breech ends of bbls are engraved with 1-5/8″ triangles of simple scroll. Bbl flats are stamped with grade, and SN. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with “3″. Case hardened small frame ejector action is fitted with automatic safety and Kautzky single selective trigger. Action is engraved with typical “C” grade birds in ovals surrounded by 60% coverage medium scroll. A setter is engraved in circle on bottom of action. “ANSLEY H. FOX” is engraved in arches over game scenes. Trigger guard bow is engraved with vacant scrolled riband. SN is at grip. Nicely streaked and lightly figured European walnut semi-pistol grip buttstock measures 13-1/2″ over original ribbed composition buttplate. Stock has standard point pattern checkering with beaded borders at grip and side panels. Matching splinter ejector forend has inset ebony tip and Fox Deeley type release. Bore diameter: left -.617, right -.615. Bore restrictions: left -.027, right -.027. Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.030. Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs. 1 oz, LOP 13-1/2″.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Bbls retain 98% orig lustrous blue, with a few scattered minor marks. Action retains nearly all of its orig case hardening color, thinning slightly on bottom. Thumbpiece of top lever is silvered on left side. Forend latch retains most of its case color, silvered slightly overall. Trigger guard retains nearly all of its orig blue. Stocks are also untouched, with a few very minor marks, with the slightest of wear to the checkering of forend. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout, with no visible imperfections. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works. An incredible, untouched, long bbl small bore Fox.
