FOX, A.H.

Depending on the remaining A.H. Fox factory data, a factory letter authenticating the configuration of a particular Fox shotgun (not to be confused with the more recent Savage/Stevens designed Fox doubles) may be obtained by contacting the Cody Firearms Records Office at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (www.centerofthewest.org) or through the A.H. Fox Gun Collectors Association (foxcollectors.com). Contact the Cody Firearms Records Office for more information and current factory letter pricing.
Mr. Ansley H. Fox first started manufacturing shotguns in circa 1896. This first company was called the Fox Gun Co. and was located in Baltimore, MD. Relatively few guns were made and surviving specimens today are very rare. After this venture, Mr. Fox was employed by the Baltimore Gun Co. for several years (circa 1900-1903). Following this period, he formed the Philadelphia Gun Co. where the predecessors to the A.H. Fox Gun Co. models were manufactured. These Philadelphia Gun Co. models (circa 1904) were the same as the newer Fox shotguns except that the hinge pin was removed. Sources indicate that the lowest grade was an A with the highest being an E (fully engraved and ultra rare). Mr. Fox went on to form the A.H. Fox Gun Co. in 1906. In addition to being an entrepreneur and trend setter, Mr. Fox also had the reputation of being an expert shot in his own right, winning more than a few events on the East Coast around the turn of the century.
The A.H. Fox Gun Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began production in 1905 and produced high quality double barrel shotguns until 1930. The Savage Arms Company, then of Utica, New York, acquired the Fox Company and produced these guns until 1942, when all but the utilitarian model B series guns were discontinued.
A.H. Fox guns are considered an American classic comparable to L.C. Smith, Parker, and others. Collector interest is high and will undoubtedly grow. The guns do not command quite as high a price as the Smith and Parker guns, but represent a fine investment collectible value.
Savage-made guns from 1930-1942 are usually valued similarly to the early A.H. Fox guns. The recent production B series are just not in the same class and are obviously not intended to be. They are lower priced by today's standards and are designed as a utility grade hunting gun. It is extremely important to note that prices listed below for the Philadelphia and Utica produced guns are for strictly original guns only. Values will vary widely for guns that have been altered or restored. Original case coloring on A.H. Fox shotguns did change throughout the course of the company's production and colors can vary widely. When dealing with higher graded guns, it is advised to seek professional guidance as there have been numerous upgrades and spurious examples in circulation. Just because a gun has a Factory letter does not neccessarily mean the gun is authentic.
The publisher would like to express his thanks to Mr. Josh Lowensteiner for his contributions in this section.