Fox HE Grade
A.H. Fox Gun Company · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1923
Also known as: Super Fox, A.H. Fox HE Grade, Fox Super Fox
Overview
The Fox HE Grade, commonly known as the 'Super Fox,' is a side-by-side double-barrel shotgun introduced by the A.H. Fox Gun Company of Philadelphia in the early 1920s. Built on Fox's boxlock action, it was engineered specifically for long-range wildfowling, boring its heavy 30- or 32-inch fluid-steel barrels to a guaranteed full-choke pattern of 80 to 85 percent so that hunters could reach the biggest birds at extended distances. The HE was chambered for 2 3/4-inch shells as standard, with 3-inch chambering available on order to exploit the newly introduced progressive-burning powder loads.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4082 g (144.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1245 mm (49.02") |
| Barrel Length | 813 mm (32.01") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Internal Hammer |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Effective Range | 55 m (60 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Chromium Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12ga, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Open Double Barrel
- Safety mechanisms: Automatic Tang Safety
- Features: Side By Side Barrels, Boxlock Action, Automatic Ejectors, Full Choke, Matted Concave Rib, Twin Ivory Beads, Long Range Pattern
Production
Production years: 1923-1942
Relatively scarce top-grade model; exact production totals not documented. Pre-Savage Philadelphia guns are the most collectible.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Ansley H. Fox
Discontinued: 1942
Notes
Marketed as 'The long distance shooting Gun built especially for close patterns at extra range.' The HE Grade sat at the top of Fox's line for waterfowlers and was among the earliest American doubles offered in 3-inch chambering. Produced in both 12 and 20 gauge; 12-gauge guns weighed roughly 8 3/4 to 9 3/4 lbs. Fox was acquired by Savage Arms in 1930, which continued limited HE production into the early 1940s.
Background
Ansley H. Fox billed the Super Fox as 'the greatest advance in Gunmaking in the last twenty years,' pairing the new 3-inch shells and progressive powders with tightly bored barrels to push effective waterfowl range out toward 60 yards long before the era of steel shot and screw-in chokes.