American Arms Fox Model

[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 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

[Dave Wade]

Thank you Drew! Those are excellent.

[Dave Wade]

Hey Drew, I see you are quite knowledgeable about damascus. Any insights about my barrels? Or do you need better pictures? Thanks!

[Dave Wade]

Thank you for those additional pages. I'm guessing my gun is an early one due to the single line patent date, but I found at least one other one with a lower serial number with the 2 line dates. Any thoughts on that?