*SUPERB ONE-OF-A-KIND ANSLEY H. FOX “DIRECTOR’S SPECIAL” GRADE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN.

*SUPERB ONE-OF-A-KIND ANSLEY H. FOX “DIRECTOR’S SPECIAL” GRADE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN. SN 121. Cal. 12ga. Outstanding Special Grade Fox shotgun with 30″ bbls, matted, tapered concave rib, dual brass sighting beads, MOD/FULL chokes, 3″ chambers, extractors and dbl triggers. Top of right bbl is marked “KRUPP FLUID STEEL MADE TO ORDER BY” and left bbl “THE A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA.” Muzzles have fine bands of border engraving and chambers have 2-1/2″ wedge of very fine foliate arabesque scroll engraving. Receiver has beautiful, delicate, early D-style engraving with “ANSLEY H. FOX” in tiny letters in an arc near the top edge on each side. Left side is engraved, in great detail with the small game scene of two feeding quail in a field scene with forest in the background. Right side is engraved to match with two feeding woodcock in a marsh scene with wooded background. Bottom of receiver is engraved with the large round vignette of two setters on point in a woodland scene with split-rail fence in foreground. Balance of engraving is very light, delicate foliate arabesque scrolls with about 50% coverage over the entire receiver. Top tang is made without safety. Trigger bow is engraved with nearly full coverage, extremely fine foliate arabesque scrolls overlaid with inlaid “F.J. Barthmaier” in fine gold script, likely a replication of his signature. Mounted with hand-crafted replacement stock of highly figured walnut, by David Trevallion that has checkered side panels, checkered round knob pistol grip, solid red Silvers pad and a matching checkered splinter forend with fluted ebony tip insert. Forend iron is engraved to match. Bore diameter: left -.728, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.032, right -.015. Wall thickness: left -.046, right -.045. Drop at heel: 1-7/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7lbs. 3oz. LOP 14-1/2″. Very little is known about Frank J. Barthmaier’s life beyond the fact that in 1906 the Philadelphia City Directory lists him as the Secretary of the A.H. Fox Gun Co. In 1907 during the reorganization from the Philadelphia Arms Corp. and reincorporation in Pennsylvania as the Fox Gun Co., Mr. Barthmaier is listed as the Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors with 133 shares of stock. By 1908 he is listed as the Secretary/Treasurer and Board member. It was during this time that a series of special shotguns were produced for the Directors of the company, including a CSE Grade, No. 35 built for Director Louis H. Eisenlohr which was offered at auction in the Fall of 2007 by Julia’s. That this fabulous shotgun was especially made for Mr. Barthmaier and is a one of a kind is beyond doubt. The engraving, like that on the Eisenlohr gun, is unique unto itself by a very talented engraver. Also, without doubt, is the fact that this shotgun has been faithfully re-wooded by Trevallion, in the highest traditions & skills of the stock maker’s art. The wood to metal fit is as perfect as man could make it and replicates the stock found on Eisenlohr’s Fox No. 35 exactly. A part of Fox Shotgun History. CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain about 99% of a fine factory-quality restored blue finish with just a couple minor nicks & scratches. Receiver retains traces of orig case colors, mostly in protected areas, with the balance a silver-gray patina blending with faded and worn orig colors. Stock is sound with sharp checkering, a couple of tiny handling marks and retains all of its fine hand-rubbed oil finish. Forend is sound with sharp checkering, a couple minor handling marks and retains all of its fine hand-rubbed oil finish. Triggers & mechanics are crisp, made without safety with bright shiny bores. 4-39887 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

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
	1219	$0.00	SUPERB ONE-OF-A-KIND ANSLEY H. FOX “DIRECTOR’S SPECIAL” GRADE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN. SN 121. Cal. 12ga. Outstanding Special Grade Fox shotgun with 30″ bbls, matted, tapered concave rib, dual brass sighting beads, MOD/FULL chokes, 3″ chambers, extractors and dbl triggers. Top of right bbl is marked “KRUPP FLUID STEEL MADE TO ORDER BY” and left bbl “THE A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA.” Muzzles have fine bands of border engraving and chambers have 2-1/2″ wedge of very fine foliate arabesque scroll engraving. Receiver has beautiful, delicate, early D-style engraving with “ANSLEY H. FOX” in tiny letters in an arc near the top edge on each side. Left side is engraved, in great detail with the small game scene of two feeding quail in a field scene with forest in the background. Right side is engraved to match with two feeding woodcock in a marsh scene with wooded background. Bottom of receiver is engraved with the large round vignette of two setters on point in a woodland scene with split-rail fence in foreground. Balance of engraving is very light, delicate foliate arabesque scrolls with about 50% coverage over the entire receiver. Top tang is made without safety. Trigger bow is engraved with nearly full coverage, extremely fine foliate arabesque scrolls overlaid with inlaid “F.J. Barthmaier” in fine gold script, likely a replication of his signature. Mounted with hand-crafted replacement stock of highly figured walnut, by David Trevallion that has checkered side panels, checkered round knob pistol grip, solid red Silvers pad and a matching checkered splinter forend with fluted ebony tip insert. Forend iron is engraved to match. Bore diameter: left -.728, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.032, right -.015. Wall thickness: left -.046, right -.045. Drop at heel: 1-7/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7lbs. 3oz. LOP 14-1/2″. Very little is known about Frank J. Barthmaier’s life beyond the fact that in 1906 the Philadelphia City Directory lists him as the Secretary of the A.H. Fox Gun Co. In 1907 during the reorganization from the Philadelphia Arms Corp. and reincorporation in Pennsylvania as the Fox Gun Co., Mr. Barthmaier is listed as the Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors with 133 shares of stock. By 1908 he is listed as the Secretary/Treasurer and Board member. It was during this time that a series of special shotguns were produced for the Directors of the company, including a CSE Grade, No. 35 built for Director Louis H. Eisenlohr which was offered at auction in the Fall of 2007 by Julia’s. That this fabulous shotgun was especially made for Mr. Barthmaier and is a one of a kind is beyond doubt. The engraving, like that on the Eisenlohr gun, is unique unto itself by a very talented engraver. Also, without doubt, is the fact that this shotgun has been faithfully re-wooded by Trevallion, in the highest traditions & skills of the stock maker’s art. The wood to metal fit is as perfect as man could make it and replicates the stock found on Eisenlohr’s Fox No. 35 exactly. A part of Fox Shotgun History. CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain about 99% of a fine factory-quality restored blue finish with just a couple minor nicks & scratches. Receiver retains traces of orig case colors, mostly in protected areas, with the balance a silver-gray patina blending with faded and worn orig colors. Stock is sound with sharp checkering, a couple of tiny handling marks and retains all of its fine hand-rubbed oil finish. Forend is sound with sharp checkering, a couple minor handling marks and retains all of its fine hand-rubbed oil finish. Triggers & mechanics are crisp, made without safety with bright shiny bores. 4-39887 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 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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