1428

*E. C. CROSSMAN'S BECKER BORED SUPER FOX XHE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
*E. C. CROSSMAN'S BECKER BORED SUPER FOX XHE.
SN 30017. Cal. 12 ga. 2-7/8" Chambers. (Actual measure, factory records state 3"). 32" Bbls with slightly raised, narrow, matted, concave rib mounted with two ivory beads, are marked "CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL" and "MADE BY A H FOX Co. PHILA, PA, U.S.A." on tops. There are 1-1/4" triangles of medium scroll at breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped "H" with SN, and "BARRELS NOT GUARANTEED - SEE TAG". Robust, case hardened action is stamped with SN and "H" on water table, and features non-automatic safety, double checkered triggers, rebated frame, and with fences filed in the manner of high grade Foxes, following barrel breech contour. Although listed in the factory letter as grade XE, the engraving on this gun most closely resembles that on grade CE, with about 80% coverage of medium scroll surrounding pairs of game birds in circles; snipe on left, quail on right, and ducks on bottom. A vacant scrolled riband is on trigger guard bow, and SN is at grip. Stock style is also most like a C grade, with simple point pattern checkering at grip and forend, along with plain bordered checkering on side panels. This gun was known to Michael McIntosh and described in his book "A. H. FOX THE FINEST GUN IN THE WORLD", on pages 223, 224, and 227 where he addresses this apparent grade discrepancy. Notes on the "build card" state "select nice dark, well figured wood for stock and forend". This order was carried out and buttstock and forend are of dense European walnut with smoky marbling and light quilted figure. As specified, stock features capped pistol grip and Silver type pad. Gun is also fitted with splinter forend. Bore diameter: left-.738, right -.738. (Becker bored guns are usually .008 - .010 oversize), Bore restrictions: left -.044 (Full) .001 recess), right -.044 (Full)(.002 recess, slight swelling noticeable on outside of bbl) Gun was ordered with full and full chokes.) Wall thickness: left -.028, right -.022. Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". All of these measurements conform to the original order, except LOP, however a new pad has been fitted, and could easily be ground to match original order exactly. PROVENANCE: Factory letter with copy of build card outlining all specifications, and indicating that it was shipped Mar 2, 1925 to Capt. E. C. Crossman. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain approx 97% satin blue, silvered slightly at muzzles, and with one or two minor marks. Action retains approx 90% orig case hardening color, thinned and silvering on bottom and on fences. Stocks retain essentially all of what appears to be their orig dull oil finish, grain slightly open, and with some minor light marks. Pad is new, but darkened nicely. Bores are excellent, bright, smooth, and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Ejectors are slightly out of time. An incredible piece of gunning history. 4-48837 MGM139