Question about my Fox BSE c

michael m · December 6, 2010, 07:24 PM

Hello
I bought a FOX BSE c (the c is after the BSE and is smaller)20 gauge 3"chamber today. I just joined this forum today as well. I was needing info on my gun. Where is the serial number? How do I remove the forearm? I took the screw loose actually it came out but I know it was not supposed to. I could not get the forearm off. Finally I read a thread about the date code but can not find the letter in a circle where is it located? Thanks in advance for everyones help.

michael m · December 6, 2010, 09:08 PM

Update I figured out how to get the forearm off. I dont see a serial number anywhere on the gun. Why is this is it older than 1968?

oneounceload · December 6, 2010, 09:18 PM

Did you look under the barrel and on the action? I do not have my BSE handy, but IIRC, there is a serial number there

michael m · December 6, 2010, 09:27 PM

Yes. I looked on the side of the receiver and under the forearm. I see no serial number. I don't think my gun was made before 1968. To my knowledge that was when manufactures were suppose to put a serial number on the guns.

oneounceload · December 6, 2010, 09:32 PM

I just checked mine - the serial number is on the outside left side of the receiver, but mine is probably newer - I bought it in the early/mid 80's

michael m · December 6, 2010, 09:37 PM

Do you think mine is older than 1968? It is a 20 gauge 3in chamber. The receiver is darker than the barrel. It is in mint condition I paid $300.00. Did I do ok?

oneounceload · December 6, 2010, 09:42 PM

I bought mine new for about 250 over 25 years ago. The receiver seems like it is "case colored" - does it have a rainbow appearance to it? That's a nice touch. It is the "upscale" cousin of the 311, and while some run them for 3-gun and others, I would not subject mine to that - the trigger isn't the greatest and the insides can be fragile for certain parts - they are still a decent shooter for a low-priced field SxS. I do find their handling to be less than better guns as far as weight, balance, and handling, but I used mine for ducks and geese when lead was legal and it did OK.

johnbt · December 7, 2010, 12:01 PM

It's worth about twice what you paid. Some of the gun books list prices of $700 or more, but $500 or $600 is more in line with what I see around here.

I had a plain old Model B 12 ga. in the early '60s and only remember that it was too much gun for a skinny 12-year-old.

John

michael m · December 7, 2010, 06:09 PM

Thanks everyone. I am assuming my gun is pre 1968 since I don't see a searial number. I did not think that they made 20 gauge in 3in shells in the 60's. If anyone has any info. please let me know.

johnbt · December 8, 2010, 11:39 AM

I believe the 3" 20 ga. shell was introduced along about 1954. I think it was for the Win Model 21, but that was a long time ago.

I have that 1954 date stuck in my brain because I know I turned 4 the year it came out. My father bought a 20 ga. Model 12 in the '50s and I studied up on the 20 ga. some as a kid.

John

michael m · December 8, 2010, 07:18 PM

Thanks johnbt for this info. now I know more about my Fox.

tominct · December 14, 2010, 02:32 PM

I also have a BSE with no serial number, marked for 3" shells. Got it a couple of years ago when I sold a bunch of guns. Didn't like the cash offer, so I said, how about the cash and you throw in that little 20 ga in the corner?

Haven't shot it yet, repaired a crack in the stock, need to replace the right firing pin spring.

oneounceload · December 14, 2010, 02:56 PM

Getting parts is getting harder and harder. When I had mine fixed, the smith had to make one or two small pieces

December 6, 2010, 07:24 PM	#1
michael m Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Location: TN. Posts: 59	Question about my Fox BSE c Hello I bought a FOX BSE c (the c is after the BSE and is smaller)20 gauge 3"chamber today. I just joined this forum today as well. I was needing info on my gun. Where is the serial number? How do I remove the forearm? I took the screw loose actually it came out but I know it was not supposed to. I could not get the forearm off. Finally I read a thread about the date code but can not find the letter in a circle where is it located? Thanks in advance for everyones help. Last edited by michael m; December 6, 2010 at 07:46 PM.

December 7, 2010, 06:09 PM	#9
michael m Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Location: TN. Posts: 59	Thanks everyone. I am assuming my gun is pre 1968 since I don't see a searial number. I did not think that they made 20 gauge in 3in shells in the 60's. If anyone has any info. please let me know. Last edited by michael m; December 7, 2010 at 08:26 PM.

December 6, 2010, 09:08 PM	#2
michael m Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Location: TN. Posts: 59	Update I figured out how to get the forearm off. I dont see a serial number anywhere on the gun. Why is this is it older than 1968?

December 6, 2010, 09:18 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Did you look under the barrel and on the action? I do not have my BSE handy, but IIRC, there is a serial number there

December 6, 2010, 09:27 PM	#4
michael m Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Location: TN. Posts: 59	Yes. I looked on the side of the receiver and under the forearm. I see no serial number. I don't think my gun was made before 1968. To my knowledge that was when manufactures were suppose to put a serial number on the guns.

December 6, 2010, 09:32 PM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I just checked mine - the serial number is on the outside left side of the receiver, but mine is probably newer - I bought it in the early/mid 80's

December 6, 2010, 09:37 PM	#6
michael m Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Location: TN. Posts: 59	Do you think mine is older than 1968? It is a 20 gauge 3in chamber. The receiver is darker than the barrel. It is in mint condition I paid $300.00. Did I do ok?

December 6, 2010, 09:42 PM	#7
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I bought mine new for about 250 over 25 years ago. The receiver seems like it is "case colored" - does it have a rainbow appearance to it? That's a nice touch. It is the "upscale" cousin of the 311, and while some run them for 3-gun and others, I would not subject mine to that - the trigger isn't the greatest and the insides can be fragile for certain parts - they are still a decent shooter for a low-priced field SxS. I do find their handling to be less than better guns as far as weight, balance, and handling, but I used mine for ducks and geese when lead was legal and it did OK.

December 7, 2010, 12:01 PM	#8
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	It's worth about twice what you paid. Some of the gun books list prices of $700 or more, but $500 or $600 is more in line with what I see around here. I had a plain old Model B 12 ga. in the early '60s and only remember that it was too much gun for a skinny 12-year-old. John

December 8, 2010, 11:39 AM	#10
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	I believe the 3" 20 ga. shell was introduced along about 1954. I think it was for the Win Model 21, but that was a long time ago. I have that 1954 date stuck in my brain because I know I turned 4 the year it came out. My father bought a 20 ga. Model 12 in the '50s and I studied up on the 20 ga. some as a kid. John

December 8, 2010, 07:18 PM	#11
michael m Member Join Date: December 6, 2010 Location: TN. Posts: 59	Thanks johnbt for this info. now I know more about my Fox.

December 14, 2010, 02:32 PM	#12
tominct Member Join Date: November 27, 2010 Posts: 36	I also have a BSE with no serial number, marked for 3" shells. Got it a couple of years ago when I sold a bunch of guns. Didn't like the cash offer, so I said, how about the cash and you throw in that little 20 ga in the corner? Haven't shot it yet, repaired a crack in the stock, need to replace the right firing pin spring.

December 14, 2010, 02:56 PM	#13
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Getting parts is getting harder and harder. When I had mine fixed, the smith had to make one or two small pieces