GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
ICONIC BURT BECKER FOX IN SUPERB ORIGINAL CONDITION.BURT BECKER A.H. FOXSPECIAL11412GAMODERN; C&R; ESACal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 28" Bbls. American born Burt Becker served a four year apprenticeship with "Uncle" Dan Lefever, during the 1880's and worked for Batavia Gun Works and Remington. He is first listed in the Philadelphia 1909 city directory as a "gunmaker". Although he was competent in all areas of gunmaking, it was his expertise in boring barrels producing extremely close patterns, that brought him to national fame, mostly through being canonized by Nash Buckingham, as Becker was instrumental in the building of Buckingham's famous shotgun, "Bo Whoop". Becker was closely associated with the A. H. Fox Company, and helped in the development of the "super" Fox, and in fact was responsible for the special boring of every "super". With Nash Buckingham's loss of the original "Bo Whoop", a friend of Buckingham's contacted Becker, now retired and near 80 years old, to build a replacement. This replacement gun was Becker's number 121. Seven guns later than the gun offered here (SN 114). This gun has 28" bbls with slightly raised matted rib fitted with two ivory beads. Tops of bbls are hand engraved "FLUID STEEL" "Built by Burt Becker Phila PA U.S.A." There are bands of small scroll and wiggle borders around breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped "114", and "PROOF" within an oval. There are some other marks including an "X" and "II". Bottom of right bbl has tube makers mark "D" over "3" surmounted by a crown. Left bbl is marked with striking weight "3". Raised sides of flats and breech ends of bbls are damascened. Standard size case hardened Fox action has rebated and double ogee back, as typically found on "FE" guns. Water table is stamped with usual Fox patent dates, and SN "114". On this particular stamping the "1"'s are inverted. Michael McIntosh in A. H. FOX; THE FINEST GUN IN THE WORLD relates that the new "Bo Whoop" has the "one" dies upside down on the bbl flats. He attributes this to Becker's failing eye sight. The action features automatic safety and double triggers, and is engraved with coverage similar to that found on early "C" grade guns. It exhibits 80% coverage fairly well cut varying sized scroll within geometric borders; a duck flushing from marsh is in circular vignette on bottom of action. Becker is known to have done his own engraving, and most likely did the work on this gun, as it does not match the style and "hand" of usual Fox engraving. Case hardened trigger guard has scroll on bow, and SN "114" on tang. Buttstock is of very attractive well marbled and lightly fiddle figured European walnut and has a slight "swan-neck" to its straight grip. It is fitted with a Jostam open sided pad, and has rather squarish point pattern checkering wrapping over top of grip with execution similar to other Becker made guns. Matching splinter forend has Fox type inset schnabeled horn tip, and Deeley type release. Interior of iron with engraved borders, is stamped with Fox patents, and "114". Bore diameter: left -.727, right - .727. Bore restrictions (restrictions start approx 2-1/2" behind muzzles): left - .011 (lt mod), right - .008 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .029, right - .031. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast 1/2 off. Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". PROVENANCE: Consignor's notes. Photographs by William Hedrick of another Becker built gun, showing similarities of engraving and checkering. Estate collection of Dana Tauber. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain well over 95% orig blue, with only a very few light marks. Action retains 85 - 90% orig case hardening color, silvered a bit on fences and bottom. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig hand rubbed oil finish with numerous light scratches and handling marks. Checkering very lightly worn. What appears to be orig pad, is darkened. Bores are excellent. Mechanically excellent. A superb condition, exceedingly rare American classic. 51980-8 MGM24 (15,000-25,000)