I saw a 12 ga. 30 in, DT, splinter, PW grip Fox A grade in the local shop today. The stock has been cut and it has been used and weighs 7 lbs. I can't read the choke markings, it has a 3 stamped on the underside of both barrels but will run a gauge thru them tomorrow. Marked price is $990. Any guestemates about proper value?

Thanks for the help.

There won't be any choke markings. The 3 on the underside of the barrels was a factory code for the unstruck barrel weight. Generally speaking the asking price sounds in the ballpark per your description---it really depends on the condition of the barrels and how much of that stock has been cut off.

That's a nice weight for a 12ga upland gun. For an A grade, it could be low, high or just right depending on condition and features. Early style engraving? Ejectors? Condition?

How short is the stock? Could be unshootable.

The stock in about 14". My typical length is 15 1/4. I haven't checked for ejectors and I need to think about condition. I don't know Fox engraving styles.

Just considering the stock length; It could easily be taken out to 15 1/4 LOP with a pad if you don't mind that "look". If this is an A grade ejector gun, with proper functioning ejectors, IMO it would be a steal at that price. If it's an early A grade the engraving will be very sparse. The later ones had more engraving which some either like or hate.
Jim

Serial number, bore and choke diameters, condition, pictures. Is the 14" stock with or without pad? Then we can get started.

It doesn't have a pad. Someone put a piece of wood on it and checkered the butt. Seiral numbers to wait until tomorrow.

docbill - suggest you do a search for the A.H. Fox Collectors Association website and check out the excellent information on grades, mechanisms, and other basic identification information. A.H. Fox guns are classic workhorses but many have been abused over their long lives as there are also lots of good ones for reasonable prices out there. I suggest getting to know much more about this great American double gun maker before you decide on the first one you come across.

All the best,
jmc

Another good way, sort of a "ballpark" method, is by the barrel steel markings- If this A or AE has Krupp or Krupp Flustahl (fluid steel)barrels, it is most likely an earlier Fox gun-- AH Fox had 4 basic barrel weight stamps- 1 0r 2 stamp on a 12 gauge indicated heavier walled barrels, more gun weight-3 0r 4 (the 4 more often on the lighter 16 and 20 bore Fox guns) would mean lighter barrels, a somewhat lighter weight gun-- Also know that this Fox has 2 & 5/8" chambers, not a real problem with today's available 12 gauge loads-- chokes are best checked with a gauge, even better by patterning-- If this Fox is mechanically sound, locks up tight- I'd go for it- Ejectors and fancier engraving are fine, but don't kill birds- gun fit, balance, chokes, loads used and trigger pull weights do-- You have a great "bargaining chip" with the cut off stock- if you like the gun, and what's not to like about a Fox??- I'd try offering the dealer $750 cash-- citing the butchered buttstock- then send it to Brad Bachelder for proper stock length- I have seen some of his work on buttstock "splicing" and pads- flawless- have him strip and clean the action- and you have one of the best boxlock double guns ever made, way better than a Parker or a Ithaca, IMO-- You'd pay way more than $900 in today's over-inflated Parker [pricing for just a used 12 Trojan, which will weigh 7 & 1/2 lbs. or more with 30" barrels-

If the head of the stock is sound, another option to get your desired length of pull, and other dimensions as well, would be the butt transplant as described in Shotgun Technicana. It has been discussed here at various times. Depending upon the overall condition and value of the gun, it might be better and cheaper to pass on this one and let it find an owner who is happy with 14" LOP. I'm not sure you'll find original 15 1/4" length of pull without adding a pad though.

Pads don't interest me. The 7 lb. weight does interest me as most American doubles are waterfowl weight. It has chromoloy barrels not Krupp steel. My guess is it is a later gun but the serial # will tell that tale.

A good stock man can add an extension and match the grain so you'd never know it's there. Mark Larson comes to mind.

Serial # is 287xx from 1922 with .25 and .45 chokes. It is in about 50% condition from stock issues. Otherwise in reasonable shape. I made an offer of $825 and we will see what the fellow says.

If the barrels are sound and the butstock isn't cracked you can put $600-$700 into this gun and still have a bargain.