[SammyIamToday]

I have a 1917 Fox Double Barrel that was my grandfather's. I would like to use it for hunting as I feel he would want me to do that instead of keeping it in the safe. He used it for about 70 years himself, some of which was using modern shells.

It was made to shoot paper shells (from what I understand) and a gunsmith (that I feel is a little opinionated (Walmart only sells seconds and the like)) has told me that shooting modern shells through it would shoot it apart. Which I could easily believe as there have been a lot of changes throughout the years (powder, pressure, etc).

So, would I be able to start reloading shotgun shells (already do rifle/pistol) on the light end so that they would be roughly on par with paper shells and still use this shotgun? It's beat up a little bit cosmetically, but still snaps together crisply. My uncle used it a couple of years ago to bag a turkey as well. I think mechanically it is very sound. I would love to use it if possible, but definitely don't want to damage it as it's a family heirloom.

[cdet69]

i have a fox 12 guage of the same vintage. i use modern shells but use the reduced recoil and lower dram loads if possible. it is only used for bird hunting so it does not see way to much use. maybe a box or two a year and a couple for practice. the key is not to use heavy loads and over use it. this will avoid shooting it out. like anything mechanical it will eventualy wear out but with caution and care it probably will not be in your lifetime. i am my foxs' fourth owner.it originaly belonged to my great uncle.

[ArmedBear]

I do not believe there were ANY 2 3/4" chambers before 1921 or so. I could be wrong.

You didn't specify, but I'm assuming a 12 Gauge since you didn't say.

You can buy shells made for that gun.

Here are some: http://www.polywad.com/vintager.html

[SammyIamToday]

Good news so far.

Yes, it's a 12 gauge. Those shells don't look bad in price. Might keep me out of reloading shotgun as well.

[ArmedBear]

Yes, if you just stuck regular modern shells in it, that would be a bad thing.:)

But you can use it with special loads. I wouldn't sell all my other hunting guns or anything, but it'd be fun to use it sometimes.

NO STEEL, of course.

[SammyIamToday]

Most I would use it for would be some occasional rabbit hunting and skeet shooting. Not really big into shotgun hunting, but using it might change my mind on that. :)

Thanks for all the help so far!

[TomADC]

I also have a Fox SxS of the same time period, I just checked mine, it does say 12 ga. but not what size, it belonged to my grandfather. I've never shot it but I do recall him shooting a lot of birds with it and also trap up until the late 50's.
My seria; number puts it at 1913.

[SammyIamToday]

How do you check the serial number for year of production? I have the receipt still where my Great-grandfather bought the gun for my Grandfather in 1917. Might have been made in a different year. Would be fun to research.

[oneounceload]

Try asking here - bet they can help:

http://www.foxcollectors.com/

[ArmedBear]

http://doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm

Scroll down to A H Fox.

[SlamFire1]

Paper shells are more likely to blow your barrel than plastic ones.

Darn paper tube will separate from the case head and go up the barrel, forward of the chamber. Next round fired will bulge the barrel.

A 1917 vintage barrel would be made of plain carbon steel. Alloy steels were new technology.

Not examining the barrel, I can't say whether it is "cast steel", "fluid steel", or "Twist steel". I can't see the amount of corrosion or any visible wear.

Tubes made from twist steel are dangerous with any smokeless powder. I would think any period barrel with a seam would be iffy with smokeless powder.

Cast steel or fluid steel barrels, I would have to look up in reference books to determine if they are OK. If they are one piece carbon steel tubes, they should be OK.

Your receiver is probably case hardened steel. Unlike modern receivers which are alloy steels and through hardened. Modern receivers would have a high tensile and yeild all the way through, case hardened structures would be hard on top and soft inbetween.

I would be careful about loads, I would only shoot the lightest smokeless loads with a seamless barrel, and I would monitor the action for any looseness.

[TomADC]

Found my serial number range here.
http://www.doublegunshop.com/dgsnos1.htm

[Dave McCracken]

Ansley Fox used the best steel of the time for barrels. Fox shotguns were very well made.

I like the fact you want to use your heirloom. Do get a smith to look it over and determine if A, it's OK to shoot and B, what shells are best.

TTBOMK, all A H Fox shotguns had 2 3/4" chambers. Best to be certain.

Chances are, this is tightly choked. For better spread, you may want to look into Polywad's Spreader loads. These not only open the patterns, but they're low pressure and 2 1/2" long for old guns. A case of these can help make some memories.

Not cheap, but you're not going to campaign this on the clays circuit.

HTH.....

[oneounceload]

He used it for about 70 years himself, some of which was using modern shells.

Remember - the length of a shell is the FIRED length - that is, an unfired 2-3/4 inch shell will fit in a 2-1/2 inch chambered gun; however the pressures - as Dave mentioned - are different

first - get the gun checked, then if he gives the OK, IMO, shoot low-pressure loads from Polywad or RST for vintage guns to start - they'll work just fine (as the original ones did back in the day), and you'll be making more memories for that gun

ENJOY IT!