American Arms Fox Model

[Dave Wade]

I bought this "swing out" Fox model recently because I had never seen this action type before. The hand fitting it took to make these is incredible. This gun has a single line patent date. I have found some online with earlier serial numbers with a 2 line patent date. I have found info about the company and this model, but I would like to determine when it was made, if possible. I appreciate any info you can provide.

Dave

[Dave Wade]

A few more to show how the action works

[Dean Romig]

Thank you Dave - I have seen that action once before several years ago… but I don’t remember where.





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[Bill Murphy]

Dave, does the gun fire? I was wondering what is going on in that left firing pin hole.

[ArtS]

Looks like the firing pin return spring is missing or broken. One pin is retracted and one not. The top of the pins are protruding different lengths. Should be a relative easy fix. My have to find a spring that fits or make one.

[Researcher]

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. Pretty sure in those days it would have been for brass shells.

Later, American Arms Co. built side-cocker single- and double-barrel shotguns --

Single Barrel 01a.jpg

376 09.jpg

376 08.jpg

and a higher quality hammerless double designed by A.E. Whitmore --

63 05 12-ga American Arms Co. Whitmore left.jpg

63 08 Patent Dates.jpg

They also built a large line of low-priced pistols and revolvers.

George H. Fox died in 1901 amid efforts to move the company first to Milwaukee and then Bluffton, Alabama. Some of the Whitmore guns have Bluffton - Ala. butt plates --

643 11.jpg

After George died the equipment of the factory, most already packed up for moving, was sold to Marlin. Taxes on the Bluffton property continued to be paid until 1915?!?

[Dave Wade]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Dave, does the gun fire? I was wondering what is going on in that left firing pin hole.

It probably does but I don't plan to. I believe it is just a spring issue. It feels quite heavy for a 12 guage.

[Dave Wade]

Originally Posted by 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. Pretty sure in those days it would have been for brass shells.

Is there any way to tell if my shotgun is the heavy 12 guage? It sure weighs a lot for a 12 guage.

Never mind. This gun is a 10 guage. Dropped a couple 3 inch 12 guage shells in the chambers and they were a little loose. No wonder it weighs so much.

[Mark Britton]

A very cool old gun ! Iv'e never seen one. Thanks for sharing.

[Drew Hause]

c. 1877 catalog