doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Fox 16 Question

I have come across a Fox/Utica 16 28" barrels, all is original including some light rust on the barrels. Otherwise with all the Philly characteristics. Chambers are 2 1/2", possibly 2 9/16. I was surprised at that. I think I have had Philly 16s with longer chambers, but not sure they were original to the gun. When were Utica guns produced with (2 3/4") longer chanmbers? Thank you. Gil

Directly from Researcher Gil in reference to both 20 and 16g
Savage began stating "chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells" in their 1938 Fox catalogues.

Gil, many Fox guns were routinely re-chambered for 2-3/4� when returned to the factory for service. Others were done by �smiths at the request of the owner. Some were ordered with the longer chambers. Very hard to know what is original.

I thought that guns re-chambered by Fox were then stamped 2-3/4.

I have owned 9 16 ga Foxes. Three of them made in 1934 or later had what appeared to be factory 2-3/4" chambers.

All of my Philly Foxes had chambers which measured about 2-7/16".

Odds are that a Savage Fox with Phiily features (forend) made in the early '30's would have short chambers. From what I read, Savage used parts built in Philly for a while in the early thirties...hence the slim forend. I think savage began chambering 2-3/4" from factory no later than 1935.

You can request a letter for your gun on the fox collectors forum

No. Letters come from Savage, when they get around to it.

The A.H. Fox Collectors Association, Inc. has photocopies of the production cards for the graded guns, and dues paying members can get a jpeg of the card. For at least 90% of the cards the AHFCA only has photocopies of the front of the card. For probably less than 10% they also have the back.

The AHFCA does not have any copies of Sterlingworth production cards.

Now that is some great information. Thanks for helping me out and letting me know.