Filled a hole in the Fox den
 

Top XE 12ga 30" is new to my Fox den. It replaces the recently sold CE.

All the straight grips are coming home with you! Very very nice! Both of them.

Both of those are very elegant. Wish I had seen the CE you sold. Also a great gun.

I love the XE engravinG on those beauties…and the double trigger configuration especially.

Craig ,That is a pair of Beautiful Guns ! I wish my XE had that amount of Case Color remaining on it ! I'm like Garry ,I really like the XE Engraving patterns ! I would love one in 20 Gauge ! Congrats on your sale of the C and also on the purchase of the XE !

XE
 

What a beautiful gun. I guess we all knew there had to be something fantasic coming in in order to let go of that beautiful CE. Thanks for answering the question.

Stunning examples of American craftsmanship and a testament to unbelievable caretaking over the past 100 (+-) years. I’m looking forward to seeing them in person some day. Thanks for sharing.

I will bring the pair to the Southern. Lets try to get the parking lot gun show going again at Drakes Landing in 2024.

That's just a great pair of Foxes Craig! You probably don't know me from Adam, but I'm the other "Fox First" guy....I have a few, but never posted. I have a 1921 XE. Mine has rebates in the frame, and noticed your's don't. Can you tell me when they started adding those? What's the vintage of your's? I'll post pics of mine eventually. Once again, congrats on a fine set of XEs! I never get tired of viewing a fine looking Fox!
Chris, AZ

Beautiful, Craig. I love the subtle differences in the two guns ........ the difference in the cheek panel checkering, the difference in the checkering on the underside of the fore-ends, and the difference in the barrel wedge engraving. Little things like that speak to the uniqueness of each gun and make each individual special in it's own way.

Chris my two guns were made in 1915 & 1916, they are what many call the head down fox style. I believe the first XE made with a heads up fox and rebates is 22945.

From my observations it seems that those X and higher "features" of rebates, profiled breech balls and the lock-screw on the tang-screw seem to be very hit or miss.

I can remember collectors who only wanted XE-Grades like this --

Attachment 122085

that had all three of the "features."

Craig, I can't tell from your pics if your guns have the profiled breech balls. XE-Grades 22458 and 22578 are "head down" that have profiled breech balls but no rebates or lock screw --

Attachment 122086

XE-Grade 22088 doesnot have profiled breech balls --

Attachment 122087

Dave 21773 does not have the profiled breech balls, 22416 does. 21773 also has the standard length forend.

Dave, my 1921 XE has the lock screw on the tang bolt, I believe profiled breech balls, and rebates. I also notice, a sculpted muzzle in the rib caps? I may post pics tomorrow for the guys.

Craig, these guns look so much alike, same configuration, same condition, are they from the same collection? How did you come across these beauties?
Chris, AZ

A beautiful pair Craig, the best of the gun makers art!