Let's make it apples to apples- of the American boxlocks made prior to 1930 (Depression era Kick-Off date) I would take a early AE Fox- with 28" Krupp barrels- straight hand stock with double triggers choked imp. cyl. right- imp. mod. left and with 2.75" chambers (even though 16 gauge shells were 2 & 9/16" then, I'm planning ahead) and I would have a fine upland bird gun, albiet in the "bastard gauge" that weighed aprox. the same as a 20-
If we are staying with boxlocks post 1930- same exact specs. but in a Winchester Model 21 (which will be a tad heavier than the Fox-but will last forever), or a Ithaca NID- prefer later series w/o the "snail ears" cocking indicators- If we are comparing sidelocks, there is no comparison- the L.C. Smiths rule that roost-Bakers were a "flash in the pan" and the Uncle Dan LeFever Syracuse sideplated graded guns were in a class by themselves--
Parkers are overrated, albiet IMO, as the early ones with the 18 pc.action design and before the 12.5% tool steel bolt plate are complicated, ejectors get out of whack-and production control with so many frame sizes and gauges that over-lapped those frames- sure kept the shiny-assed seat of the pants office clerks busy with their ledgers- Now, as I don't own, nor plan to-any 16 gauge, why make that choice over a light 12 bore- where I live and shoot, the 16 gauge shells are at a premium (as are the 18 gauges)?? Just curious, like all foxes apparently.
Last edited by Run With The Fox; 04/22/09 10:17 PM.
