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-   -   Restored Super Fox HE (https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3760)

Mark Ouellette 03-05-2011 08:33 PM

Restored Super Fox HE
 
I collect US classic doubles to include a few by Ansley H. Fox. Since Fox never made any 10 gauge guns I acquired the Fox answer to long range fowling. A Fox HE “Super Fox" came available at a good price but it needed a complete restoration. The head of the stock was an oil sponge and there were a few spots on the action that were pitted. Overall though the gun was salvageable.

Brad Bachelder of Grand Rapids Michigan restored this Waterfowling Wonder to the condition fitting a fowl weather veteran of many, many seasons. If only this 1927 Fox could talk!

The “Before" photos:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...Esuperfox6.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...Esuperfox2.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...Esuperfox3.jpg

The restored Super Fox!
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_42.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_38.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...Fox-2Ed_16.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...Fox-2Ed_12.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_43.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_50.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_51.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_28.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_22.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_30.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_21.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_11.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...Fox-2Ed_11.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_33.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...ox_Edit_02.jpg

charlie cleveland 03-05-2011 10:09 PM

make a fine turkey gun from what i see...thanks for saving and showing us....enjoy and shoot it a lot.... charlie

Mark Ouellette 03-06-2011 07:40 AM

I was asked a few questions via private messages that I think they are worth sharing.

I was also asked if Bachelder outsources the case hardening/coloring?

Bachelder case hardens in house. He does it by batch of like guns from the same period. I know that he mixes the ingredients special for each gun and period. I just sent him a EH Parker after learning that he has a batch (about a dozen) of early Parker hammerless actions going to be case hardened in the near future.

I was asked if Bachelder restocked this Super Fox?

Bachelder restored the original wood by first using a heated acid solution to pull the oil from the stock. After that he was able to restore the original wood. Previously Brad did the same for an LC Smith 10 Gauge Grade 2 with chain Damascus barrels.

Finally, I was asked about price and schedule?

I think the price Brad Bachelder charged me for this restoration was very reasonable. The time required was also reasonable. Since I do not represent Brad please ask him about price and schedule. I think you will find him to be surprising reasonable for both.

Most respectfully,
Mark

Pete Lester 03-06-2011 02:47 PM

Nice gun Mark!

Nice work Brad!

Dean Romig 03-06-2011 02:58 PM

Please tell me how a "heated acid solution" wouldn't act on the wood fibres possibly even weakening them?

Mark Ouellette 03-06-2011 03:18 PM

Dean,

I do not know the chemistry behind how heated acid draws oil from a stock but it does. So does unheated acetone and whiting compond. They just do not draw out as much oil.

Heat and steam are used to cause the bonds between wood fibers to soften allowing them to realign under pressure. The bonds are reformed when they cool. This is how one, including me, can bend a 100 year old gun stock without breaking it.

When I consider the above, plus that certain acids may destroy metal but not wood, I am happy to accept under the correct conditions, Brad is able to use heated acid to draw oil from a stock. Unlike bending a stock, this is something that I will not try at home :)

Mark

Jeff Kuss 03-06-2011 04:41 PM

Dean,
If you looked at my 6 frame 10 at Easton last fall, it had the same treatment.
Jeff

Dean Romig 03-06-2011 06:25 PM

Well, okay then - I guess if you guys say so...

I wonder what kind of acid and level of dilution (molar) ?

John Dallas 03-06-2011 08:41 PM

Wonder what you have to avoid leaving a residual amount of acid in the stock and ending up with a problem similar to the Browning "Salt Wood" problem?

Kurt Densmore 03-06-2011 09:23 PM

Fantastic !!

Looks like a great candidate to ride up front with me in the scull boat next fall. I won't forget my earplugs this time....

Kurt


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