A Rare and Important Cased XE Grade Fox Shotgun, Custom Made for Display at the Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915, San Francisco

Serial no. 200691, 20 gauge, 28-inch side-by-side barrels, choked full and full. The right barrel marked at breech: "KRUPP FLUID STEEL MADE BY" and the left barrel marked at breech "A.H. FOX GUN CO. PHILA. PA." Large ivory bead sight at muzzle, with smaller ivory bead at 14-inches in from muzzle. Matted rib. Bottom of barrel lug at breech marked X and with serial number, as well as oval FOX/PROOF. Left barrel marked at breech bottom (partially visible only): -KRUPP - SSSE11. Single selective trigger. Automatic ejectors. Manual safety. Left side of frame marked in arc within game bird panel scene: ANSLEY H. FOX. Right side with similar two game birds panel, also with ANSLEY H. FOX marking. Serial number and patent dates marked on inside surface of forend iron. Bottom of frame engraved with fox motif within oval panel. Triggerguard with shield shaped blank escutcheon. Foliate scrolls and borders on frame, top lever, frameplate, triggerguard, barrel breech and forend mounts. Checkered select walnut stocks, with cushioned buttpad. Modern sporting case of green canvas, with leather trim.

Condition: Fine; 95% blue on barrels; minor signs of use; bores excellent. 30% case-hardening on water table; balance of hardening turned gray; 35% blue on triggerguard; forend gray, with 85% blue on inside surface of iron. Stocks with repaired crack on forend extending from release mount back to rear mount; small chip from forend wood at rear of right side by mount. Buttstock with replaced pad; minor mars. Length of pull measures 13 7/8-inches.

Note: Documented in the Fox company ledgers as follows: XE Grade, 20 gauge, 28-inch full and full chokes, walnut stock with 14 1/2-inch length of pull, 2 3/4-inch drop at heel, weight of 5 pounds 14 ounces; half pistol grip stock, 2 3/4-inch chamber, single trigger; Silvers recoil pad, Lyman sights. Gun completed at the Fox, Philadelphia plant and shipped on February 27, 1915 for display at the Panama Pacific Exposition, California, 1915.
Accompanied by documenting letter from A.H. Fox Historian, J.T. Callahan, stating the above information, and including: "'XE' engraving is one of the handsomest patterns applied to Fox doubles. The pattern was conceived by Fox engraver, William Gough around 1913 and was a new design that was elegant and bold in appearance. The exceptional scroll work and game scenes, coupled with the hand fitted and finished metal components and finely checkered grip and panels of the stock and fore-end make this grade one of the finest examples of any of the American double gun makers. The 'XE' grade shotgun sold for $100.00 in 1915."

Estimate: $5000 - $7000