doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Restocking an A grade Fox wood opinions

To me, not even close...#2 wins going away. Layout and grain flow is near perfect, figure quite nice and in keeping with the gun at hand. Caveat is weight and density - I'd want it both hard and light weight.

The only wood I hate on a double is maple. Birdseye, fiddle, shell flame, they all look off on a double. Might be ok for a trap gun, o/u, auto or pump. But not on a double.

Awesome looking gun. Was it originally a straight grip with a semi-beavertail? Love to see some more pictures of the gun.

PS. Was it restored as well, or just restocked?

The problem I've had with all the circassian I've used is it very dense with tiny tiny pores and therefore is normally pretty darn heavy. PS. I do like that blank for sure, but it might be a tad over the top for an A grade.

Three is very deceiving. It is 100 percent slabsawn, but you sure couldn't tell it from the pics.

I must differ with you here, as fiddleback, in my experience, is one of the few "figures" that does not compromise strength.

Mike

That's certainly my understanding as it is formed from compression. As such, straigt grain with fiddleback should be very strong.

Here are two more photos of my "A Grade" Fox, 12 gauge.

It was pretty raggedy when I bought it about 12 years ago. I had Buck Hamlin (Pevely, MO) do a complete restoration, and re-stock. It was originally a straight stock, with a small standard forearm. I wanted the semi-beavertailadded, even though it wasn't "factory."

Bores have been opened to SK & LM.

Buck's case colors were origially much nicer, but they have worn, and partially faded from usage. I've hunted this shotgun quite a bit, and its not a closet queen. Its been hunted in South Dakota, Kansas, and Illinois -- as well as its home in Missouri.

I hope you enjoy your Fox as much as I have mine.