1843

Special Order Spectacular Engraved Gold Inlaid Exhibition Grade Two Barrel Set 16 and 20 Gauge A. H.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Special Order Spectacular Engraved Gold Inlaid Exhibition Grade Two Barrel Set 16 and 20 Gauge A. H.
This is a unique special order two barrel set 16/20 gauge Exhibition Grade Fox shotgun. The shotgun was manufactured circa 1912 during the time that Ansley Fox was being removed from the company and Edward Godshalk was in. Fox was advertising as making the only real 20 gauge shotgun because of the scaled down size of the frame, which can accommodate the 20 and 16 gauge barrels, rather than using 12 gauge lock work like all the other makers did. No other American gunmaker ever achieved such proportional harmony. Each set of barrels have a 3 1/2" wedge of floral scroll engraving at the breech end with three gold inlaid game birds in field scenes. The breech ends also have a gold inlaid band and the breech end of the rib is engraved with the same scroll design separated from the matte on the top of the rib by a gold inlaid bar. The top right rear of the barrel is engraved "KRUPP FLUID STEEL MADE EXPRESSLY FOR" and top left "MR. A WALKER BY A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA. U.S.A.". Each has a single brass bead sight on the concave matte solid rib. The 16 gauge barrels are 28" in length, chambered 2 1/2", choked modified/extra full with ejectors and the 20 gauge is 26" in length, chambered 3", choked modified/improved cylinder with ejectors. Both are marked with the matching serial number and finished blue. The scalloped box lock action with a rebated top and bottom is casehardened and features relief floral scroll engraving with an oval panel of a field scene on each side and the bottom with gold inlaid game birds on each side (three on the left, two on the right) and two gold inlaid hunting dogs on the underside. There is a gold inlaid flower on the each side at the front. The break lever is decorated with a gold inlaid snipe and the trigger guard with the intertwined initials "AW". The engraving pattern extends to the lower tang which has the gold inlaid serial number. The water table is marked with the 1904, '09 and '11 patent dates, the serial number and "SPECIAL". Both sets of barrels share the same checkered splinter forearm with a horn forend insert and a floral engraved disk in the center with a gold inlaid center. The forearm is almost fully hand checkered with a Fleur-de-lis design in the center. The inside of the hardware is numbered to the gun and has the same patent marking as on the water table. The straight grip stock is extra fancy, nicely figured walnut with fancy bordered, Fleur-de-lis hand checkering extending to behind the long lower tang and on the flats, and a serrated highly polished hard rubber buttplate. Length of pull is 14 3/8".
BBL: 26/28 inch solid rib
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 20/16
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 200224
Condition: Professionally restored to near mint condition. There is some minor forearm wear on each barrel set. The stock shows a few minor dings and handling marks. This is truly a magnificent one-of-a-kind, special order, Exhibition Grade Ansley Fox shotgun.