A.H. Fox J-Grade Engraved Single Trap Gun MFD 1919

SOLD FOR: $4,858.00
LSB#: 190209JR07

Make: A.H. Fox

Model: Single Trap Gun

Serial Number: 400172

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1919 (first offered in 1919, initial plate inscription indicates 1919)

Gauge: 12 gauge with 2 ¾” Chamber

Action Type: Break-Action Single-Shot Shotgun With Ejector

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MADE BY A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA. U.S.A.”, the right is marked “CHROMOX FLUID STEEL”. The bottom-left of the monoblock, the top of the forend iron, the water table and the bottom tang are each marked “400172”. The monoblock and water table are each marked “J”. The monoblock has a proof and inspection mark. The gun has J-grade scroll engraving. The initial plate in the belly of the stock is engraved “WON BY / F.W. KING 1919 / THE / SLEEPY HOLLOW / COUNTRY CLUB / ARCHERY VS GOLF”.

Barrel Length: 32” with Ventilated Rib

Choke: Fixed Full

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead mounted to the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is serrated with fine matting at the rear which continues onto the top of the receiver for glare reduction.

Weight: 8 lbs., 0.0 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with beavertail forend which tapers at the rear, straight grip, monte-carlo comb and a solid orange rubber recoil pad. The forend has only a few scattered light marks. The buttstock has several scattered light compressions, drag lines, and scuffs with thinning finish on the comb. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 13 1/2″ to the back of the wood. The pad has crushed, cracked and discolored with age, in about Poor condition. The stocks are in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There appears to be some light erosion at the rear end of the bore, but we suspect that this will prove to be stubborn fouling after a patient cleaning.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The barrel has some scattered light marks, faint finish wear and very minor freckling, nearly all forward of the forend. The rib has thinning finish and some scattered light nicks on its edges. The receiver retains nearly all of its beautiful case-coloring with handling wear in the top tang and light handling marks. The lever has light handling wear. The bottom tang shows handling wear as well. The trigger guard has scattered light wear and marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear with good detail in the engraving. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejector. The barrel locks up to the receiver with no play. There is a switch on the left of the receiver which allows the lever to be closed while disassembled for storage and transport. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Ansley H. Fox has a well deserved reputation for making “The Finest Gun in the World”, producing beautiful and extremely high quality guns for the American sporting market, but also putting his efforts to use making automobile parts, machine guns and munitions. One of the rarest of the Foxes is the Single Trap Gun, with fewer than 600 made between 1919 and 1936 when production ceased. Not content with simply being a very rare gun from a very high quality manufacturer, this shotgun also has some history to it, being won by a Mr. F.W. King in 1919 at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, New York in an interesting competition which pitted golfers against archers, and the archers won! The event even made the New York Times, with the article available here. This is a wonderful find for the Fox collector and would make a fantastic addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible shotgun can be transferred in California.