Very early A H Fox Shotgun project gun

[orpington]

This is one of the very plain A Grade shotguns circa 1906 or 1907.

First, I should state I don’t usually get into project guns. A gun is only original once, I am not a fan of rebluing or refinishing of wood, etc. I can afford nice firearms if desired and if I wanted a nice example of the aforementioned, it’s only a matter of finding it and writing a check.

But I have this shotgun, got it a decade or so ago, obtained very cheaply at a flea market. Forgot I had it.

Screwheads contain very shallow slots. I don’t want to press my luck, even with ground screwdrivers it might be a challenge. Could Kroil the heck out of it, but may not be good for Kroil to soak into the wood in the likely event screw removal proves impossible. Disassembly desired to determine why the safety is stuck in the “Safe” position.

Also, original butt plate absent.

Any reasonable suggestions welcome but, in the end, having paid a wall hanger price for this shotgun, it might just be a wall hanger.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Penetrating oil, tap the end of the screw driver with a tack hammer while turning, could apply a little heat as well. Ive seen way worse screws than that break free easily, and way better looking ones that never do, lol.
Id try to save it, but worst case, youve nothing to lose. Good luck!

 

[MacAR]

Like @NIGHTLORD40K said, tap the end of the screwdriver after a bit of a soak in good penetrating oil. I have had good luck putting the gun in a vise and putting my shoulder against a long-shanked screwdriver as well. MidwayUSA has a good video series on SxS shotgun smithing on youtube, might be worth a look. If in the end you can't get it going or just decide not to, do let me know. I'd be happy to either tackle it for you or take it off your hands!

Mac

 

[entropy]

Get a gun pick (plastic dental pick) and try to clean the slot out. There may be over a century rust and/or goop in the slot.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have READ of putting it under a drill press to hold the bit in the slot. Turn by twisting the chuck POWER OFF.

 

[Bill M.]

I have used the drill press technique mentioned above with good success on the main screw of some doubles. I lathe drilled a center in the screwdriver handle to keep the handle aligned under load from the drill press

 

[entropy]

Check Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company Here;

https://connecticutshotgun.co/gun-restoration-items/?sort=featured&page=1

Many of these pads will be period correct. A hard buttplate might be hard to find; I am shooting Trap tomorrow with a guy who buys, restores and sells A.H. Fox SxS's, I will ask him for a source, he is doublegunguy on Guns International.

This company, N.C. Ordnance, makes reproduction shotgun buttplates.

https://gungrip.com/