doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com The other American Arms Co. SxS.

Other than the George Fox designed Boston Side-swing and the Whitmore pat. boxlock, Am. Arms Co. also mfg. a Semi-Hammerless SxS and single shot. What years were these mfg.? and do we know approx. how many were made? What gauges were thay made in? Did American Arms mfg any other shotguns becides these four models?

Thanks,

John

My August 1893, Chas. J. Godfrey catalogue has the American Arms Co. semi-hammerless single barrel with a Twist barrel in 12-gauge for $11 and 10-gauge for $12.50.

This is the offering in my 1900 J.H. Johnston, Great Western Gun Works catalogue --



The caption in my files on this ad says it is from 1890 --



but here is another ad annotated as 1890 with a different address --

Thanks Dave,
Now I have to find a Whitmore hammerless.

That stock work is sweet.

Years ago I owned an American Arms Company double gun, a very heavy 12-bore with Damascus barrels. The gun was a graded example; but only a lower grade with simple scroll engraving, no game scenes. This gun was a quality piece as regards workmanship, finish, and fitting; but the perhaps the most interesting feature of this gun was the butt plate inscription that read American Arms Co. Bluffton, Alabama. Seems the gun works was relocated from Boston to Bluffton, AL at some point, and a limited number of guns produced there. I read an old article somewhere during the time I owned this gun where someone had attempted to locate the Bluffton, AL factory; and in conducting his research, found that the town of Bluffton no longer existed; although this individual was able to wonder around in the woods and eventually located what was left of the original gun works foundations. I traded that gun to Ben Loving, and he probably still has the piece; but hopefully someone has an example and can post some pix, and maybe someone here might have a copy of the article noted above. It would be interesting to read that piece again.

I've been waiting for someone to write an article in The Double Gun Journal on these American Arms Co. shotguns after the George H. Fox side-swing hammer guns. I have seen guns with the Bluffton -Ala, butt plate still had a Boston address on the rib --



There is an article on the company in the April 1970 American Rifleman, but it has a lot about their pistols. In that article it states they moved to the New Street address in East Boston in 1891. In their ad showing the semi-hammerless double gun in The Sportsman's Directory and Yearbook for 1893, the address is given as Milwaukee, Wis., Until May 15th, address 36 New St., E. Boston, Mass.

What is the connection if any between the A Fox Gun Company and this Company? I'm asking because of the implication in the ad.
Jim

None whatsoever!! The second American Arms Co. was organized in 1877 at 103 Milk Street in Boston and manufactured the George H. Fox designed side-swing hammer double. Our man Ansley H. Fox was barely a year old at this time and about then his family was in the process of moving from Atlanta, Georgia, to Baltimore, Maryland. George H. Fox of Boston was in no way related to the Fox family of Loudoun County, Virginia, from which Ansley sprang.

American Arms Co. ceased to operate with the death of George H. Fox in 1901, while Ansley was on the road as a professional shooter for Winchester. The Machinery that was still in Boston was sold to Marlin in November 1901. Some entity appears to have continued paying the taxes on the Bluffton, Alabama, property through 1914.

The butt plate I pictured above is on American Arms Co. Whitmore double serial number 421. My American Arms Co. Whitmore double serial number 63 has a plain checkered butt plate.

Thanks Researcher:
For your detailed and excellent answer.
Jim

Dave,
Your data storage and retrieval system is amazing. I retain just enough to really confuse myself.
Back to my original question, Was the Semi-Hammerless SXS mfg through 1901 or was it an earlier gun? Also, did Am. Arms produce any other shotguns besides the four listed? I ask because a just purchased a Semi-Hammerless SxS and I have the other three. None are without some issues but they are all there and matching numbers.
The Fox Side-swing is a 26"(uncut), 10ga. and is quite light with good balance.
My Whitworth is a 16ga., barrels cut to 29-7/16", #1358. It has the Boston address on the floor plate and barrel rib but the Bluffton buttplate.
The singleshot Semi-Hammerless has the Bluffton plate also. I don't have it close but I think it is a 32" or 34" 10ga.
I will have to wait for the SxS Semi-Hammerless to arrive.

Any more information on the Semi-Hammerless SxS would be great.
Here is a pic I found on the web.




Also, did any other American mfgr. produce a manual cocking Hammerless? (Remington model 9)

Thanks

John

The. Semi Hammerlesss came in a double barrel form, too. Interesting part of the story.