Ansley H Fox?

M77 · November 21, 2004, 07:50 PM

I found this old shot gun in my dads attic. Its a double barell side by side with the twists inside the barrel. It turns out it was my great grandfathers so it is exteremely old. The only writtings i could find on it are Ansley H Fox. Is that the brand or what.

Any info appreciated

M77 · November 22, 2004, 01:42 AM

well i figured out what it is. Could anybody give me a rough estimate on how much it would cost to restock and finish it. Damn squirell chewed all over the stock while it was in the attic.

Harley Nolden · November 22, 2004, 06:17 AM

Possible that Gun Parts or Numerich arms has them. Go to Search

gun parts

Numerich Arms

Gunstocks: Here you may find someone who makes them, inletted or finished, and the cost of such.

HJN

HunterTRW · December 16, 2004, 10:23 PM

The book Best Guns by Michael McIntosh has an entire chapter devoted to the Fox gun. This book is excellent and will shed a great deal of light on your classic.

I trust you know that since your gun has Damascus barrels you should NEVER attempt to shoot modern nitro loads through it. Damascus was designed for use with black powder and will not stand the pressures generated by today's nitro powders. At minimum you could suffer blown barrels; at the worst a fatal injury.

Please have this gun checked by a competent gunsmith. He/she can determine whether it's worth restoring to shooting condition (by the addition of barrel sleeves) or is suitable only as a wall-hanger. Because it's a Fox, and because of its sentimental value, it deserves nothing less.

Good luck!

A.H. Fox Gun "The Finest Gun in the World"

tokarevman · December 18, 2004, 07:41 PM

I regualary shoot skeet with my A&H fox, i love that gun it still has the tight would to metal finish and no gaps in anyting, they are just great guns.

Rustic · December 19, 2004, 09:36 PM

A H Foxes started production in 1907, and one of my resources states that damascus steel was never used. Ansley Fox was a machinist who used coil springs and Krupp fluid steel.

If yours has a twist barrel, it may be quite rare, may have been rebarreled, or may be some type of reproduction. I guess another possibility would be some type of paradox barrel with rifling near the muzzle for slugs?

Stocks would be a custom proposition, but if you planned to shoot it, you would want less drop than was customary 90 years ago, anyway.

tokarevman · December 20, 2004, 12:29 AM

I am prety shure the slug barrel is post 1930's after 1930s A&H fox got bought out by anuther company after then and the quality of the gun went down a bit but not much, but heck i may be all wrong.

HunterTRW · December 20, 2004, 09:58 PM

Of Ansley Fox, Michael McIntosh's book, Best Guns, states, "The 1898 Baltimore city directory lists him as president of the Fox Gun Company, 5 West German Street."

Of Damascus-barreled guns, Mr. McIntosh goes on to say about Fox, "An item in the premiere issue of The Sporting Goods Dealer, October 1899, says: 'The Fox shot gun, invented and patented by Ansley Fox, one of the most promising young trap shots of this state, is being manufactured here now, but the trouble is that he can not manufacture guns fast enough to supply the demand.' At least a handful of these guns still exist: twist-barreled, 12-gauge doubles stamped 'Fox Gun Co. Balto. Md. U.S.A.' on the left side of the frames."

If, indeed, your Fox has Damascus barrels, then it may be quite a rarity, and accordingly valuable. Please consult a knowledgeable gunsmith ASAP.

Good luck!

November 21, 2004, 07:50 PM	#1
M77 Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Posts: 21	Ansley H Fox? I found this old shot gun in my dads attic. Its a double barell side by side with the twists inside the barrel. It turns out it was my great grandfathers so it is exteremely old. The only writtings i could find on it are Ansley H Fox. Is that the brand or what. Any info appreciated

December 18, 2004, 07:41 PM	#5
tokarevman Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Posts: 167	I regualary shoot skeet with my A&H fox, i love that gun it still has the tight would to metal finish and no gaps in anyting, they are just great guns. __________________ I cant spell

December 19, 2004, 09:36 PM	#6
Rustic Member Join Date: September 6, 2004 Location: Pierre, SD Posts: 88	Are you sure the barrels are damascus? A H Foxes started production in 1907, and one of my resources states that damascus steel was never used. Ansley Fox was a machinist who used coil springs and Krupp fluid steel. If yours has a twist barrel, it may be quite rare, may have been rebarreled, or may be some type of reproduction. I guess another possibility would be some type of paradox barrel with rifling near the muzzle for slugs? Stocks would be a custom proposition, but if you planned to shoot it, you would want less drop than was customary 90 years ago, anyway.

December 20, 2004, 12:29 AM	#7
tokarevman Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Posts: 167	I am prety shure the slug barrel is post 1930's after 1930s A&H fox got bought out by anuther company after then and the quality of the gun went down a bit but not much, but heck i may be all wrong. __________________ I cant spell

December 20, 2004, 09:58 PM	#8
HunterTRW Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Location: The Lower Forty of Hill Country Posts: 177	Fox: Manufactured prior to 1907 WITH Damascus barrels Of Ansley Fox, Michael McIntosh's book, Best Guns, states, "The 1898 Baltimore city directory lists him as president of the Fox Gun Company, 5 West German Street." Of Damascus-barreled guns, Mr. McIntosh goes on to say about Fox, "An item in the premiere issue of The Sporting Goods Dealer, October 1899, says: 'The Fox shot gun, invented and patented by Ansley Fox, one of the most promising young trap shots of this state, is being manufactured here now, but the trouble is that he can not manufacture guns fast enough to supply the demand.' At least a handful of these guns still exist: twist-barreled, 12-gauge doubles stamped 'Fox Gun Co. Balto. Md. U.S.A.' on the left side of the frames." If, indeed, your Fox has Damascus barrels, then it may be quite a rarity, and accordingly valuable. Please consult a knowledgeable gunsmith ASAP. Good luck!

November 22, 2004, 01:42 AM	#2
M77 Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Posts: 21	well i figured out what it is. Could anybody give me a rough estimate on how much it would cost to restock and finish it. Damn squirell chewed all over the stock while it was in the attic.

November 22, 2004, 06:17 AM	#3
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Possible that Gun Parts or Numerich arms has them. Go to Search gun parts Numerich Arms Gunstocks: Here you may find someone who makes them, inletted or finished, and the cost of such. HJN

December 16, 2004, 10:23 PM	#4
HunterTRW Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Location: The Lower Forty of Hill Country Posts: 177	The book Best Guns by Michael McIntosh has an entire chapter devoted to the Fox gun. This book is excellent and will shed a great deal of light on your classic. I trust you know that since your gun has Damascus barrels you should NEVER attempt to shoot modern nitro loads through it. Damascus was designed for use with black powder and will not stand the pressures generated by today's nitro powders. At minimum you could suffer blown barrels; at the worst a fatal injury. Please have this gun checked by a competent gunsmith. He/she can determine whether it's worth restoring to shooting condition (by the addition of barrel sleeves) or is suitable only as a wall-hanger. Because it's a Fox, and because of its sentimental value, it deserves nothing less. Good luck! A.H. Fox Gun "The Finest Gun in the World"