GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
IMPORTANT A.H. FOX CE GRADE 12 GA SHOTGUN MADE FOR GEN. J. WARREN KEIFER, CIVIL WAR HERO AND U.S. CONGRESSMAN.A. H. FoxCE2997612 GaMODERNCal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. This specially ordered gun specified without safety, was shipped to J. W. Keifer. He was wounded in two different engagements during the Civil War, one severely damaging an arm. One could speculate that this gun has no safety because Gen. Keifer could not operate one due to his injury. Perhaps he carried his gun open as many hammer gun shooters do, closing it when needed. It has 28" bbls with narrow matted game rib marked "CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL" and "MADE BY A. H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA. U.S.A." on tops. There are 1-1/2" triangles of scroll at breech ends. Bbl flats with high portions engine turned are stamped with SN, grade, and Fox proof. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with striking weight of "3". Case hardened action with no safety, is engraved in typical "C" fashion with 70% coverage scroll surrounding game birds surmounted by "ANSLEY H. FOX" on both sides. Bottom of action has circular vignette of setter. Trigger guard with a vacant scrolled banner on bow, has SN at grip. Nicely marbled, stump figured, circassian walnut (factory order specify: "light colored wood in stock and forend) Fox capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over ribbed composition buttplate. Side panels are checkered, and standard point pattern checkering with line border is at grip. Matching splinter ejector forend has inlet ebony tip, and Deeley type release. Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.725. Bore restrictions: left -.011, right -.005. (Factory specs called for right, cyl and left, imp cyl). Minimum wall thickness: left -.028, right -.035. Drop at heel: 3-1/4" (matching factory specs), drop at comb: 1-3/4". Weight: 7 lbs 3 oz. LOP: 14". PROVENANCE: A.H. Fox Historian John Callahan letter with transcription of record card indicating existing specifications and stating that it was shipped on Nov. 1, 1924 to Keifer. Biographical info on Gen. Keifer born 30 Jan 1836, and died 1932. Outlining his military career, starting as Major of the 3rd Ohio Vols, participating in many battles incl Rich Mtn, Cheat Mtn, capture of Bowling Green KY. He was wounded twice at the Battle of Winchester in 1863. He was transferred to the 6th Army Corps and at The Battle of the Wilderness, he was again seriously wounded. He resumed fighting 3 months later, his wounded arm still in a sling, fighting with Gen. Sheridan through many battles down through the Shenandoah Valley, and having his horse shot from under him in the Battle at Opequon. He was brevetted Brig Gen by Pres. Lincoln in recognition of his bravery and courage. In 1864 at the head of his own corps, he led a number of major assaults on the defenses of Petersburg. After the war he returned to his law practice and in 1876 he was elected to congress serving as Speaker of the House from 1881-1883. With the outbreak of the Spanish American War he was appointed Maj Gen by Pres. McKinley commanding the 7th Army Corps embarking with 16,000 men to Cuba. He was in command of the troops which took possession of Havana. After the war he was again elected to congress, serving until 1912. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain approx 90% orig blue, silvered at muzzles and breech ends, with some light marks, thinning above forend from normal hand wear. Orig damascening is on breech ends. Action retains approx 60 - 70% orig case hardening color, pleasingly silvered on fences and around bottom from normal hand wear. Stocks retain nearly all of an old lightly restored finish. Checkering is lightly worn. Forend checkering shows considerable wear on left side. There is some slight raising of wood behind top tang. Bores are excellent, with some light frosting at breech ends, and evidence of a dent being removed about 9" back from muzzle of left bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. 49623-3 MGM168 (9,000-13,000)