Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums - AH Fox A grade x 32 Inch

Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums (https://parkerguns.org/forums/index.php)

- General Discussions about Other Fine Doubles (https://parkerguns.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=20)

- - AH Fox A grade x 32 Inch (https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26148)

AH Fox A grade x 32 Inch

I was lucky enough to run across this A grade with 32 inch barrels.
It appears to be all original. Nice shooting old gun.
I almost forgot the most unusual feature on this gun; the left tube is a #2 and the right tube is a #3 weight!
See the photo.

Nice Larry. Can you see the barrel weight stamps on the barrels?

Different barrel weights on the same gun.

I almost forgot the most unusual feature on this gun; the left tube is a #2 and the right tube is a #3 weight!
See the photo.

Larry,
Why are those weights unusual? The only thing I know about fox guns is you can sell them to fox nuts and buy more Parker’s. So I am hoping to learn something with my question.

Patrick

Patrick, most Fox guns, if marked, are the same on both sides.

For a given barrel length there's typically about a 4 ounce difference in struck weight (mass) between a set of 2 and 3 wt. barrels in 12-gauge It's possible the 2 stamped tube on this Fox was heavily struck to make it closer to 3 wt. profile/mass. Or the barrel assembler wasn't paying attention, etc.

to me it looks like the 2s were reversed when stamped

I concur with "CHE." Me thinks that gun was stamped the morning after the AHFGC annual Christmas party blowout at Buffalo Wild Wings!!

BTW,nice, honest Fox!

Maybe it was the day after the forst Wing Bowl in Philly.

CHE's thoughts got my interest peaked, so I have been playing with the photo. If one blows up the number stamps(the photo has enough resolution) and plays with the photo via a Photoshop type program they will see that it is indeed a '2' and a '3' stamp. I have been fooling with these Fox Guns for quite some time and don't believe I have ever have never seen/handled a set of bbls with two different weight stamps?? And that is exactly what this 32" A Grade has! Just an aside; Fox did build a fair number of #4 weight 32" bbl'ed guns. Remember they were designed by and built by shooters, not business men, and that has resulted in subtle differences! One thing I have learned the hard way is; never say never, or someone will surely present proof that will result in yet another of life's Ahhhhh Shit Moments.

Remember these smoke-poles were, for the most part, hand built and unfortunately people make mistakes, at least I do. I stand in awe of the people who profess to rarely making mistakes. My life time average must be somewhere around 1 per hour, luckily most are minor ones. Maybe they are a bit senile, forgetful, or just a bit reckless with the truth??

No argument as to the build quality of Parker vs Fox Guns, and I do spend a LOT of time shooting one of my Parker 28s and my Parker double trap gun. But, I would like to put a short coupled, well balanced 'lively' Fox Gun in the nay say'ers hands for a day out in the covers. No, I am not senile(at least not yet) and am not offering to ship any Fox Guns anywhere; I am just saying!(although I did leave a rather famous Becker out with a friend in the Mississippi Flyway for most of last year) Catch me out shooting sometime and anyone is welcome to give the comparison a try.

All the Best during the New Year, Regards, Tom (Now to hide from the flack!)