American Arms Boston side swinger

[Milton C Starr]

Ive been seeing quite a few of these for sale but have never seen anyone talk about them . Seems they had a graded system as well , didnt see any information come up when I googled them .

Is anyone here familiar with them ?
I like reading about the less known American sxs makers .

Looks like it would awkward to carry in the field since you cant break it open and carry it over your arm like a tradition sxs .

[Brian Dudley]

Sure you can, the gun just has to be sideways.

[Milton C Starr]

Sure you can, the gun just has to be sideways.

Doesnt sound as comfy as carrying a regular sxs .

Im guessing theres not much of a collectors market for these .

[Brian Dudley]

They are more of a curiosity and something that collectors would want who are interested in the different american makers at the time of early breechloading development.

[Dean Romig]

Are there pictures we can see somewhere?





.

[Rick Losey]

Are there pictures we can see somewhere?

.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/842990576

or

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/844981635

there are a couple more as well

https://p1.gunbroker.com/pics/844980000/844980411/pix213447856.jpg

[Dave Noreen]

There was a good article on George H. Fox's American Arms Co. in The American Rifleman, April 1970. There was an article on some of the George H. Fox side-swing hammer doubles by William Furnish and James A. Nelson in the Winter 1994, The Double Gun Journal. I have a reproduction American Arms Co. catalog, offered years ago by Dr. William Paul Smith's PRP Americana, from I believe the late 1870s. It calls the gun the Model of 1877. It shows the gun made in 12- and 10-gauge in 11 grades from $50 to $300. Their 12-gauges were said to be chambered for 2 5/8 inch shells, and their 10-gauges for 2 3/4 inch shells. They also offered heavy 12-gauges built on the 10-gauge frame, chambered for 3-inch shells.

[Milton C Starr]

There was a good article on George H. Fox's American Arms Co. in The American Rifleman, April 1970. There was an article on some of the George H. Fox side-swing hammer doubles by William Furnish and James A. Nelson in the Winter 1994, The Double Gun Journal. I have a reproduction American Arms Co. catalog, offered years ago by Dr. William Paul Smith's PRP Americana, from I believe the late 1870s. It calls the gun the Model of 1877. It shows the gun made in 12- and 10-gauge in 11 grades from $50 to $300. Their 12-gauges were said to be chambered for 2 5/8 inch shells, and their 10-gauges for 2 3/4 inch shells. They also offered heavy 12-gauges built on the 10-gauge frame, chambered for 3-inch shells.

Thanks I didnt see much information about them besides the company going through 3 restructures . The highest one I was the the 9 grade on gb . They have been sitting there for a few years , thought they were interesting and never seen them mentioned .

[Drew Hause]

No idea where I found these; it appears that the prices had fallen compared to Dave's catalog

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/17126410/414372254.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/17126410/414372253.jpg

[Dave Noreen]

Slightly different price list in the catalog I have a copy of --

79966

79967

79968

[Dave Noreen]

In addition to the George H. Fox side-swing double, American Arms Co. made "Saturday night specials", side cocker single barrel and double barrel shotguns and finally a Whitmore designed hammerless double.

79969

79970

79971

Copper rivet probably not factory!!

[Milton C Starr]

Slightly different price list in the catalog I have a copy of --

79966

79967

79968

Ah so that explains what that 9 grade is that he is selling , I would like to see a 11 grade just out of curiosity . Though for the price you can get a nice Parker for 6k .

I do enjoy seeing these old catalogs of the various lesser known American makers that was around that time period .

[Dave Noreen]

In 1893 there was a possibility of the company moving to Milwaukee, Wis.

79999

but it apparently never happened. All through the 1890s American Arms Co. was moving to Bluffton, Alabama.

80000

They had property and a building there, but much of the machinery and parts inventory was still in Boston when George H. Fox died in 1901. Most of it was sold to Marlin by November 1901. Some entity continued to pay the taxes on the Bluffton, Alabama, property until 1915.

[Milton C Starr]

In 1893 there was a possibility of the company moving to Milwaukee, Wis.

79999

but it apparently never happened. All through the 1890s American Arms Co. was moving to Bluffton, Alabama.

80000

They had property and a building there, but much of the machinery and parts inventory was still in Boston when George H. Fox died in 1901. Most of it was sold to Marlin by November 1901. Some entity continued to pay the taxes on the Bluffton, Alabama, property until 1915.

Thats pretty interesting , this is probably to best forum to find information on old American doubles thats for sure .

[Mike Franzen]

Those are great looking guns. I’ll bet these are the Fox guns T.R. was referring to when he reportedly stated “the finest shotgun in the world”. :cool:

[Rick Losey]

Those are great looking guns. I’ll bet these are the Fox guns T.R. was referring to when he reportedly stated “the finest shotgun in the world”. :cool:

:rotf:

yeah it's that or his F grade AH Fox :corn:

[Dave Noreen]

Ansley was using "The Finest Gun in the World" well before he made a gun for T.R.

80054

What T.R. actually said was "no better gun was ever made."

80055

80056