Need to read up on Fox's and Steven's

[00-Guy]

I have decided to look into getting a SXS. I have been intrigued by the AH Fox's between '09-'27 (aka the Philadelphia made guns). Can anyone recommend a good book on the manufactuer and history of these guns? For the record, I shot an occasional trap double with an 1100. I am thinking of the Fox in a 12 with a 30" barrel with a full/mod configuration as a replacement.

Also Mr. Okiecruffler has piqued my interest in 311. So any good books with similar info?

paul

 

[Traveler]

The Best Shotguns Ever Made in America: Seven Vintage Doubles to Shoot and to Treasure by Michael McIntosh

A H Fox the Finest Gun in the World by Michael McIntosh

 

[Okiecruffler]

If there's a book out there on the 311 I haven't found it

And it ain't for lack of trying. One of these days, when I know alittle more about computers and such, I plan to start a website on American SXS's in general and the Stevens specifically. There's an awful lot of them out there for there to be so little organized info.

 

[rust collector]

Dad's Sterlingworth

Dad inherited, and passed along to me, a sterlingworth made in 1927. It is a 12 ga, 30" f&M gun that has seen a lot of use but still shoots birds when I take it out to open the season. Stock has been refinished and has a little more drop than most modern stocks, but it still sports the old splinter forend and can still knock the roosters down. Never needed repair that I know of, and killed thousands of pheasants and ducks in the 30s.

I would imagine there are quite a few books about the American classic doubles. The only one I'm familiar with has the production dates by serial number for the A H Fox guns. It was written by RW Lightner in 1976, and he does give the name of a fellow who would research individual guns at one time. Roe S Clark, Main Road, Granville, MA 01034 was the contact. Catalog reprints were available for $1.50 back in '76, and it is noted that R & A Moulton of Turlock CA were interested in buying A-G grade Foxes.

Good luck in your quest. The Sterlingworth was made to be used, and they are up to the task. No damascus barrels, all coil springs--easy to see that the machinist known as Ansley H Fox designed and manufactured a high quality product. Good serviceable shooters should be out there for 600-900.

 

[halvey]

And it ain't for lack of trying. One of these days, when I know alittle more about computers and such, I plan to start a website on American SXS's in general and the Stevens specifically. There's an awful lot of them out there for there to be so little organized info.

Does the Ward's Western Field play into this equation? What do people think of them? I saw one a few weeks back: a 12 ga. with 32" barrels. Looked pretty neat until I noticed a big gouge in the stock filled in with putty! I wouldn't dare shoot that thing...

 

[Okiecruffler]

The Western Fields SXS's are Savage/Stevens, depending on the model. It would be easy enough to find a replacement stock for it if the price was right.

 

[halvey]

Ok here's where I get confused. It seems like Stevens made pretty much all the lower end SxS'. And my "lower end" I mean economical. But Stevens didn't make a 32" as far as we know. But they did for Ward's?

Heck - I should just buy them if the price is right!

They had $199 on it. The other Stevens were $225-250 depending on condition.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've given up on trying to find out exactly what Stevens made, too many variations out there. For $199 if it's in good shape, I would grab it. Juts make sure you check it out good first. These guys can set you up with a brand new stock.http://www.gunstocksinc.com/index.html

 

[00-Guy]

Thanks to all who replied. I have gone ahead and ordered a copy of "A H Fox the Finest Gun in the World" by Michael McIntosh. Thanks Traveller for the suggestion.

Okie, as for the web stuff. Gnerate the information in M$ Word and save it as HTML. Add some pictures and bingo instant web page. (If it was only really that easy!)

paul....

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've made a few attempts doing just that, and it works, but looks terrible. If I do this thing I want it to be worthy of these guns I love so much.

 

[halvey]

Dangit Okie, everytime I read one of your posts I start wondering about getting another SxS. While I am the first to admit I don't know a whole lot about them, I know I sure can bust the clays with them.

Thanks for the tip on the stocks, if that Western Field is still there this weekend, I think I'll get it.

Now - I need a 10 ga double. Is there such a thing as an American made 10 ga SxS? Does such a beast exist?

 

[Okiecruffler]

I was looking at an Ithica 10g SXS just last week. Massive beast. In fair condition and priced at $900. So I'm thinking it was way overpriced, but I don't know enough about Ithica to make that judgement. I think some of the older model Stevens (pre311) were chambered in 10, but I've never seen one.

 

[halvey]

I overheard; well was listening in on a conversation at a gun shop once where a guy was buying a 10 ga SxS. I don't think he paid all that much for it and from what I could see, it was in pretty rough shape. But he said he was going to cut it down for a coach gun/home defense gun.

Imagine looking down the barrel of one of those.

Oh shoot; another project...

 

[Okiecruffler]

Totally off topic here

But it seems like a remember someone posting about turning an H&R 10g singleshot into a short barreled flamethrower. Now that would be impressive.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Charlie Maloney, the rotund pixie that works for Fulton Arms on EBRs had an old Greener 10 gauge cut down to 18". Ammo was all brass hulls, a cup or so of FFG and some .375 pure lead balls for the 0000 effect. Impact was impressive.

Don't try this at home.

Preacherman had a 10 gauge SxS he used to bring testosterone burdened COs back to reality.

John, Ithacas older than the New Ithaca Double,ie Flues, etc are not strong enough for even light modern ammo. The NID is an excellent piece in any gauge.

And, old 10s used the 2 7/8" case. Gamebore or Kent makes Bismuth ammo for waterfowling with these, but little other ammo is available.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I'm not sure which Ithica this one was, once I saw the price it kinda lost my interest. Eventually I'll get a 10g SXS, but I wouldn't be abit surprised if it just spent the rest of it's years hanging on my wall looking nasty. There's a reason I shoot light loads in my 12's.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Some of the older 10s were nice, trim shotguns. Back then, a common load for the 2 7/8" hull was 1 1/4 oz of shot over 3 1/2 drams of black powder. In an 8 to 10 lb shotgun, this was easy kicking and hard hitting. Even 1 1/2 oz loads aren't so bad.

And the little skeeter type of adapter can be made for 10 gauge. I think Briley makes 10/12 gauge tubes too.

 

[halvey]

Preacherman had a 10 gauge SxS he used to bring testosterone burdened COs back to reality.

I think a few months back in American Handgunner, a guy cut down his 12 ga EAA double, and modified the grip so it became a handgun. It was done legally and all, but he had to end up shooting the Aquila 1.5" shells through it, because the full 12's were just too much.

So then I thought the same thing in .410 would be pretty cool. Or go the other way and do what he did, but only in a 10...

Talk about testosterone!

 

[Okiecruffler]

I saw that and have wanted one ever since. Those 1.5" shells are a blast in my SXS's. One of my favorite John Wayne movies is El Dorado. Always wanted to have a gun like Mississippi's.