GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
UNUSUAL A H FOX "SPECIAL" SHOTGUN WITH SINGLE TRIGGER AND EJECTORS, MOST LIKELY BUILT BY BURT BECKER.A.H. FOXSXS SPECIAL12643412GAMODERN; C&R; ESACal. 12 ga. 2-5/8" Chambers. 30" Bbls with narrow, matted rib, are engraved "FLUID STEEL" "MADE BY A. H. FOX GUN CO PHILA. PA. U.S.A." on tops, twin ivory beads. There are 1-1/2" pyramids of scroll and geometric bands at breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped with SN, Fox proof, and "BB". "S." is engraved. Cocking slide and sides of bbl flats are engine turned. It appears that this gun started life as a Sterlingworth ejector, and has usual Sterlingworth type spring tension forend release. Case hardened action with SN and "SPECIAL.S." engraved on water table, has filed in rebate for stock and double ogee back. Action also features automatic safety and gold plated Kautzky single selective trigger. Action screw has small set screw as found on most Becker guns. Action is engraved with 70% coverage scroll which appears to have been done by Becker himself, as it matches his "hand". Game birds are on sides of action; tom and hen turkey on left, and a pair of ducks flying toward viewer on right. Bottom of action portrays a well detailed semi-relief gold inlaid setter in classic "F" grade style, with mountains in background, all within fancy crenelated border. Scroll engraving continues onto trigger plate as well as blued trigger guard where it flanks gold inlaid monogram of crossed "J"s (?). SN is on tang. Lightly marbled and figured European walnut Fox capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-3/4" over black leather faced NOSHOK pad. Side panels are checkered in "DE" manner, and grip checkering is of unusual borderless spiked pattern. Matching splinter forend has ejector patent numbers stamped on iron, and has Sterlingworth type release. Bore diameter: left -.727, right - .727. Bore restrictions: left - .039 (extra full), right - .017 (mod). Wall thickness: left - .032, right - .030. Drop at heel: 3-7/16", drop at comb: 1-7/8". Neutral cast. Weight: 7 lbs. 13 oz. LOP: 13-3/4". PROVENANCE: Estate collection of Dana Tauber. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain over 95% orig blue, thinned a bit on sides and along sharp edges of rib. Action retains 85 - 90% orig case hardening color, thinning and browning on bottom. Stocks retain over 90% of their orig varnish finish with a number of chips and light scratches. Pad is a newer replacement. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Mechanically fine. 51980-11 MGM113 (27,500-35,000)