American Arms Side Openers
 

Hi, anyone else into these, what I consider "neat" sxs? I came across this one in a small shop and passed on it the first two times as I was concerned about the "etched" barrels. Evidently after some research, I found a that a small few American gun manufacturers offered this as an option. The next time I stopped in the shop, I picked it up and the shop owner was glad to get rid of it...:rotf: Of course I got the dangerous Damascus barrel disclaimer that I am quite used to. After examining and having some online assistance, I believe it is a grade 8 or 9. Barrels are mirror and I just shot a round of clays with it yesterday with Chambermates in 12. Fantastic gun... love it.

Please note the gun was quite dirty with dried oil and grime so I have been gently taking my time cleaning it.

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Wonderful gun. The engraving looks fantastic and please take some more pictures to show all the details.

very interesting design. they came in nine grades. too bad the advent of smokeless powder caused their demise.

yours is the best one of these i have seen.

That is one high grade Fox.

Thanks for the compliments. I tried to take a few pics tonight but i just couldnt get any right. Here are a couple of the better photos. Photography is is skill I need to sharpen on.

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very nice... charlie

I have three. One is a 10 ga. grade 1 or 2 and two 12 ga. One a grade 2 and one that matches your almost exact. Dogs are alittle different. You are right about the grade being 8. the top grade had gold inlays. I have never seen one. Fun guns to shoot. Thanks, Frank

The advent of smokeless powder didn't cause their demise. These George H. Fox designed sideswing hammer doubles were gone before the advent of factory loaded smokeless powder cartridges in the early 1890s. American Arms Co. by then was making cheap revolvers, side-cocker single barrels and a semi-hammerless side by side, and introduced their high end Whitmore-designed hammerless double --

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The best articles on American Arms Co. are one by Elliot L. Minor in the April 1970 issue of The American Rifleman, and the one by William M. Furnish and James A. Nelson in The Double Gun Journal, Winter 1994.

Dave,

I just picked up an American Arms Whitmore double with twist barrels the other day. The action is slightly loose and the safety needs adjustment. It looks similar to the one you posted pics of except my side panels are not checkered and the rib is flat and matted. It has a 3 digit serial number like 282 (I'm at the library and the gun is at home).

Jack Kuzepski

Could some one who has one of these guns please post a picture with the gun open.
Thank,s Tom