doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Source for Fox Values?

I was just asking on the AHFCA site if anyone had seen that gun? They give every picture but the one I need to see if it is a drawbolt gun. My bet is it is as all but one of the other Fox-Sterlingworths I've recorded in the 143xxx serial number range are drawbolts.

Here is a picture of a drawbolt top tang --

Thanks to everyone for their input.
I had already researched the "Fox Collectors" site, but that doesn't give any "pricing" guidelines to help with my search.
The McIntosh book idea probably holds the most merit. At least it might turn my search into an informed "Crap Shoot"!.
I have noticed several Fox's that had been restored with new stocks, etc. Unfortunately, none that I saw were for sale.
Fin2Feather's comments about quality not being limited to Philadelphia guns has also been my observation.
The CSMC route is an option and they are terrific shotguns, but for that kind of money I'd rather have several high quality hunts.
I'll just have to keep on trucking and see what turns up.
I continue to be open to any additional input or ideas.

Thanks.

Well look what just popped up!

http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=131727357

Any thoughts from the Fox experts?

Thanks,

First I'm no expert but you asked so here's my 2-3 cents.

1. A 16 ga, my favorite. 28" tubes-my favorite
2. Definitely not all original but it sure is pretty
3. Chokes-good for me but for you?
4. Krupp barrels-a +
5. 2 3/4 chambers-a - IMHO. I prefer to leave these alone
6. Case colors-how were these re-done if so? If re-done be aware that some methods might damage the metal

Price-that's up to you but IMHO too high.

Mike

Check out http://www.gun-vault.com in American section. If your spending the money, you deserve a real one.

Older Doc,
Thanks for the link.
That Fox is nice, but $18 Grand for an "upgraded" gun seems a little odd. Its not really a collector piece given the upgrade done outside the factory.

Additionally, first time that baby hits the field and gets a scratch, it's value would drop by 30%.

I'm more interested in a quality shooter that hasn't been beaten up. So many Foxes seem to have had a hard life!

Mike,

I agree on the price. In fact the same gun was listed on Guns International and his real "asking" price is $5,100.00. Seems much too high.

I tend to disagree with those who feel the Bluebook values are on the low side for Fox guns. While I see many priced well above Bluebook, especially over the past 5-6 years, very few seem to actually sell at those prices. I even see some priced below Bluebook that do not sell at well attended gun shows. I am of course accounting for overall condition factors. Also, I am completely ignoring the sucker fishermen who try to pawn off a loose piece of crap by quoting a book value for a 95-100% gun. Fjestaad claims his Bluebook prices are based on actual sale prices at shops and shows, and are retail. It would seem to be a daunting task to get actual sales prices for every make, model, and variation listed in all regions of the country every year. There has to be a lot of extrapolation. But in my neck of the woods, Foxes tend to go at or below Bluebook, or they don't sell... except for the occasional sucker catch.

Check out http://www.gun-vault.com in American section. If your spending the money, you deserve a real one.

The overall gun listed above looks nice but the inleting from those pictures seems to be less than perfect. It looks like it is too proud of the metal and the fit seems very much too large for the metal. It may be just a trick of the light but it should have about half the amount of wood proud of the metal and the gaps between the metal and wood should be much smaller. Still a nice looking gun but not the best restoration you will ever see if the pictures are like that in the real gun.

Hard cash buys more good Foxes than any "book" value will ever put you on their fair value. They made thousands of guns so do not buy what you are not happy with. Get a feel for what the asking prices are in your market. Then consider that many if not most guns can be had for less than the asking price. Amazing how many people pay the asking price without even asking if that is the best price. Dealers want to sell guns and make money not have them sit on the shelf for month or years. Offer what you think is a fair price and if the dealers agrees that is what the fair market price is. Buy the gun and enjoy it.

That's a custom gun....not a "restoration" by any stretch. And the restock is not nearly so well done as the seller implies. A custom gun is not a commodity item....it's essentially a one-of-a-kind or, at best, one of very few that are similar. And the right price will be whatever the buyer and seller agree on. The only way you can say a custom gun is "not worth $xxxx" is if you can buy or build it's equivalent for less $$$.

Something else to consider....you can pay 10-15% "too much" for a decent Fox sub-gauge today....hold it 5 years and you can break even....hold it 10 years and you'll make money.

To duplicate that gun for $5,000, you'd have to find a project-worthy 16ga AE for < $2500. Not impossible of course but, IMO, not likely.