Mark Ouellette
04-02-2012, 06:32 PM
Gentlemen (and ladies if you are out there…),
How many of you also admire the wonderful handling characteristics and graceful lines of AH Fox shotguns? I know that I do and I think that many of you do too. Do you know that there is an AH Fox Collectors Association? To me, this is the PGCA’s little red haired sister. Oh, she will grow up into a svelte vixen someday but for now our sister is still growing up. I wasn’t a Parker guy long ago when the PGCA as finding its way. Undoubtedly as an organization the PGCA had a few setbacks and learned from those experiences. Sometimes life can teach some painful lessons! Maybe we could share our organizational knowledge with our little sister?
I ask of you my fellow PGCA members who also do appreciate the virtues of an AH Fox double to consider joining the AHFCA. Why join both? Simple, because we are only strong when we share information. The collectors associations provide a means to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Just as we members share information so do organizations!
The following are a few personal examples of the benefits that I have gained by being a Parker and Fox association member:
1. I have communicated with many gentlemen with similar interests via the PGCA forum. At SxS shoots and major gun shows we meet as old friends even though this is our first meeting!
2. I often confer with my fellow PGCA friends concerning what a fair price should be on guns at auction and otherwise offered for sale. In every purchase I save more than the cost of an annual membership thanks to the advice and guidance of more experienced members. Now that I am having gained some experience in rating and pricing Parkers, I in turn provide assistance to PGCA and forum members.
3. I have conferred with a well known member of the Fox association for guidance on what this or that Fox was worth. In turn I have aided him with reloading. Recently this Foxist put a custom AE Grade Fox up for sale. I called him to discuss and in a few minutes I had purchased a dream gun. He was pleased that he could pass on his creation to someone who would both love and shoot her! Later he told me of a flood of emails wanting to buy this gun. I know many enthusiasts who would prefer to pass on a cherished gun to a friend a fair price rather than auctioning her off to the highest bidder.
4. I collect 10 gauge SxS’s. A PGCA member with a similar passion and occasionally discuss various long barreled 12 and 10 gauge guns. One night this friend calls me and asked if I want to take on another project? It was a Grade 2 Top Action (hammer, top lever) 32” barrels on a #4 frame. The #4 frame is not common so I had interest. The gun was shot hard and put up wet! This friend had talked the owner down to a great price and he passed that deal on to me. That Parker now sits in my rack crying for attention. I plan return it to shoot-able but un-restored condition. I may decide that someone should restore her and if so, I will seek out a fellow big gun enthusiast an offer it to them.
There are of course other examples but I think you all have similar ones.
Please give the AH Fox Collectors Association some consideration. http://www.foxcollectors.com
We are stronger when we all work together!
Most respectfully requested,
Mark
How many of you also admire the wonderful handling characteristics and graceful lines of AH Fox shotguns? I know that I do and I think that many of you do too. Do you know that there is an AH Fox Collectors Association? To me, this is the PGCA’s little red haired sister. Oh, she will grow up into a svelte vixen someday but for now our sister is still growing up. I wasn’t a Parker guy long ago when the PGCA as finding its way. Undoubtedly as an organization the PGCA had a few setbacks and learned from those experiences. Sometimes life can teach some painful lessons! Maybe we could share our organizational knowledge with our little sister?
I ask of you my fellow PGCA members who also do appreciate the virtues of an AH Fox double to consider joining the AHFCA. Why join both? Simple, because we are only strong when we share information. The collectors associations provide a means to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Just as we members share information so do organizations!
The following are a few personal examples of the benefits that I have gained by being a Parker and Fox association member:
1. I have communicated with many gentlemen with similar interests via the PGCA forum. At SxS shoots and major gun shows we meet as old friends even though this is our first meeting!
2. I often confer with my fellow PGCA friends concerning what a fair price should be on guns at auction and otherwise offered for sale. In every purchase I save more than the cost of an annual membership thanks to the advice and guidance of more experienced members. Now that I am having gained some experience in rating and pricing Parkers, I in turn provide assistance to PGCA and forum members.
3. I have conferred with a well known member of the Fox association for guidance on what this or that Fox was worth. In turn I have aided him with reloading. Recently this Foxist put a custom AE Grade Fox up for sale. I called him to discuss and in a few minutes I had purchased a dream gun. He was pleased that he could pass on his creation to someone who would both love and shoot her! Later he told me of a flood of emails wanting to buy this gun. I know many enthusiasts who would prefer to pass on a cherished gun to a friend a fair price rather than auctioning her off to the highest bidder.
4. I collect 10 gauge SxS’s. A PGCA member with a similar passion and occasionally discuss various long barreled 12 and 10 gauge guns. One night this friend calls me and asked if I want to take on another project? It was a Grade 2 Top Action (hammer, top lever) 32” barrels on a #4 frame. The #4 frame is not common so I had interest. The gun was shot hard and put up wet! This friend had talked the owner down to a great price and he passed that deal on to me. That Parker now sits in my rack crying for attention. I plan return it to shoot-able but un-restored condition. I may decide that someone should restore her and if so, I will seek out a fellow big gun enthusiast an offer it to them.
There are of course other examples but I think you all have similar ones.
Please give the AH Fox Collectors Association some consideration. http://www.foxcollectors.com
We are stronger when we all work together!
Most respectfully requested,
Mark