Label
Made by the A.H. Fox Gun Company, Philadelphia, c.1910
This exceptionally rare Grade FE shotgun represents the pinnacle of early 20th-century American gunmaking. Declared by Tom Gibbons of Executive Buying Service, Lancaster, PA, “the finest FE ever found,” it is the same grade and style of shotgun President Theodore Roosevelt carried on his 1909 African safari, later writing, “No better gun was ever made.” Frank R. Brownell acquired this masterpiece at auction in 2004.
The 30-inch barrels, FULL/FULL choked, feature a tapered concaved matted rib with double ivory beads. All components were hand-fitted for exceptional form and function. The stock and full-checkered splinter forearm display a fleur-de-lis and ribbon pattern extending to checkered raised side panels with a Prince of Wales grip. Fashioned from Circassian walnut, both stock and forearm were hand-finished with oil.
The receiver, top tang, opening lever, trigger guard, and forend iron are adorned with full-coverage English-style rose and scroll engraving with delicate borders and engraved fences. The opening lever features a cluster of flowers at the pivot and floral engraving on the tab.
Highlights of its artistry include the gold inlays in the left and right receiver side featuring setter bird dogs and the maker’s name in a ribbon. The receiver bottom vignette has three quail in a field and the trigger bow showcases a flying duck over a marsh. The barrels include engraved scrolls and gold inlaid lightning bolts.
Over the chambers, engraving reads “Krupp Fluid Steel Made by / A.H. Fox Gun Co. Phila. Pa., U.S.A.” The receiver water table bears the patent dates, serial number, a large engraved “F” for the highest grade, light arabesques, and a fine wavy border pattern. This shotgun features double triggers and ejectors.
The condition is extremely fine, with barrels and trigger guard retain 96–98% of their bright original blue, and the walnut preserves most of its hand-rubbed oil finish. Mechanics are crisp with brilliant, shiny bores. The gun was sold at auction with its brass-bound oak and leather case, felt-lined, and complete with English-style gold oil bottle, brass chamber brush with horn handle, wooden-handled boar-bristle brush, and early tin oil container.
Manufacturer: A.H. Fox Gun Company (Philadelphia, PA)
Weight: 7 pounds, 14 ounces.
Caliber/Gauge: 12
Stock: Walnut
Class: Modern long gun
Model: Double Barrel
Type: Shotgun
S/N: 16109
ID: 582 (2004)