*RARE, AS FOUND, HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION SMALL BORE PHILADELPHIA FOX “XE” SHOTGUN WITH FACTORY LETTER.

SN 301648. Cal. 16 ga. 2-1/2″ Chambers. 28″ Bbls are stamped “CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE BY A. H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA U.S.A.” on tops either side of slightly raised, matted rib. Breech ends are engraved with second generation “X” grade 2″ triangles of large shaded scroll and acanthus. Bbl flats are stamped with SN, grade, and Fox proof. Cocking slide and sides of bbl flats are engine turned. Breech ends of bbls are damascened. Striking weight “3” is stamped on bottoms of bbls. Case hardened action with rebated frame, features automatic safety (SAFE engraved), and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage bold open scrolling acanthus which surrounds vignettes of snipe on left, and grouse on right. Fences are also acanthus engraved. “ANSLEY H. FOX” is over each bird scene. Bottom of action depicts a bushy tailed fox in mountainous background within oval border. Trigger plate is engraved with more acanthus scroll. Trigger guard has more scroll flanking vacant shield. SN is on tang. Well streaked and lightly figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 13-1/2″ over essentially flattened leather covered Silver pad. Side panels are checkered and checkering at grip is of modified point pattern with fancy back. A silver oval on toe line is engraved with indecipherable monogram. Typical high grade Fox extra long splinter forend with inset schnabeled ebony tip, is checkered to match buttstock. Interior of iron is engraved with patent dates. Bore diameter: left -.661, right – .657. Bore restrictions: left – .019 (mod), right – .008 (IC). Wall thickness: left – .031, right – .032. Drop at heel: 2-11/16″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Neutral cast. Weight: 6 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 13-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Clark letter giving specifications from orig build card and stating gun was originally built for “O. Zischang” most likely “W. O. Zischang” the son of famed rifle smith “A. O. Zischang” who died in 1925. Estate collection of Dana Tauber. CONDITION: Excellent, original as found. Bbls retain 95 – 98% orig blue, with only some light handling marks and rubs. Engine turning and damascening are strong. Action retains 70 – 80% orig case hardening color, pleasingly silvered around bottom and fences from normal hand wear. Thumbpiece is slightly silvered as is trigger guard tang. Color on forend latch is thinning at rear. Stocks retain nearly all their orig finish with some light marks. Later pad has rubber considerably flattened and deteriorated. Orig factory specifications were for a LOP of 13-1/8″ and wood is at its orig length of 13″, giving a 13-1/8″ LOP with a thin buttplate, or 14″ with a new pad. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are strong and in time. It is estimated that only 90 “XE” 16 bores were made, 79 in Philadelphia. 51980-10 MGM (9,000-14,000) C&R – Lot 1421

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Auction: Firearms - October 2017

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1421	$29,900.00	RARE, AS FOUND, HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION SMALL BORE PHILADELPHIA FOX “XE” SHOTGUN WITH FACTORY LETTER. SN 301648. Cal. 16 ga. 2-1/2″ Chambers. 28″ Bbls are stamped “CHROMOX FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL” and “MADE BY A. H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA U.S.A.” on tops either side of slightly raised, matted rib. Breech ends are engraved with second generation “X” grade 2″ triangles of large shaded scroll and acanthus. Bbl flats are stamped with SN, grade, and Fox proof. Cocking slide and sides of bbl flats are engine turned. Breech ends of bbls are damascened. Striking weight “3” is stamped on bottoms of bbls. Case hardened action with rebated frame, features automatic safety (SAFE engraved), and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage bold open scrolling acanthus which surrounds vignettes of snipe on left, and grouse on right. Fences are also acanthus engraved. “ANSLEY H. FOX” is over each bird scene. Bottom of action depicts a bushy tailed fox in mountainous background within oval border. Trigger plate is engraved with more acanthus scroll. Trigger guard has more scroll flanking vacant shield. SN is on tang. Well streaked and lightly figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 13-1/2″ over essentially flattened leather covered Silver pad. Side panels are checkered and checkering at grip is of modified point pattern with fancy back. A silver oval on toe line is engraved with indecipherable monogram. Typical high grade Fox extra long splinter forend with inset schnabeled ebony tip, is checkered to match buttstock. Interior of iron is engraved with patent dates. Bore diameter: left -.661, right – .657. Bore restrictions: left – .019 (mod), right – .008 (IC). Wall thickness: left – .031, right – .032. Drop at heel: 2-11/16″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Neutral cast. Weight: 6 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 13-1/2″. PROVENANCE: Clark letter giving specifications from orig build card and stating gun was originally built for “O. Zischang” most likely “W. O. Zischang” the son of famed rifle smith “A. O. Zischang” who died in 1925. Estate collection of Dana Tauber. CONDITION: Excellent, original as found. Bbls retain 95 – 98% orig blue, with only some light handling marks and rubs. Engine turning and damascening are strong. Action retains 70 – 80% orig case hardening color, pleasingly silvered around bottom and fences from normal hand wear. Thumbpiece is slightly silvered as is trigger guard tang. Color on forend latch is thinning at rear. Stocks retain nearly all their orig finish with some light marks. Later pad has rubber considerably flattened and deteriorated. Orig factory specifications were for a LOP of 13-1/8″ and wood is at its orig length of 13″, giving a 13-1/8″ LOP with a thin buttplate, or 14″ with a new pad. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are strong and in time. It is estimated that only 90 “XE” 16 bores were made, 79 in Philadelphia. 51980-10 MGM (9,000-14,000) C&R – Lot 1421 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2017 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*RARE, AS FOUND, HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION SMALL BORE PHILADELPHIA FOX “XE” SHOTGUN WITH FACTORY LETTER.