Here's a very unique American-made double barrel, 12 gauge shotgun. The American Arms Co. was originally founded sometime in the 1850's by firearm designer George H. Fox. Like many arms designers, Fox was a better engineer than he was a businessman, and the company went bankrupt and and was subsequently re-founded under the same name a total of three times in 1870, 1877, and 1890 (you've got to admire the tenacity of a man that would restart his company three separate times). Like most small American gun companies during the late 19th Century, American Arms Co. of Boston Mass. offered shotguns and revolvers for sale in their catalog. Their flagship shotgun was Fox's own design: the "Fox Model Swing Out" shotgun. Rather than swinging down like a traditional shotgun, this unique side-by-side featured an unusual side-swing mechanism that allowed the barrel to swing sideways for loading and unloading. The major benefit of this design was in its strength: without having to rotate up and down on a hinge, the barrels could be supported by a much longer receiver which extended the entire length of the forend. This allowed the gun to withstand much more recoil force than a traditional side-by-side. So confident was Fox in this design that he offered the gun in a "12 gauge heavy" model; making it one of the only shotguns during the 19th Century that was chambered for 3" shells. Like most high end manufacturers, American Arms offered the "Swing Out" in multiple grades, each differentiated by the amount of engraving, quality of the wood, and pattern of damascus twist.
While most American manufacturers offered 4-8 different grades, American Arms Co. offered no less than eleven different grades of Swing Out shotguns (I suspect that this may have played a role in their multiple bankruptcies and subsequent restructuring) This particular example is grade 7; making it one of the more decorated examples available. It is distinguished by its elaborate scroll engraving that covers roughly 75% of the action; with multiple depictions of pointers, setters, and various game birds. The stock cut from a tight-grained piece of lightly burled walnut, and the barrels feature a very tight "chain link" damascus pattern.
The condition of this rare shotgun is very good. The swing out mechanism works perfect and the barrels lock up rock solid with no wobbling or rattling when closed. The factory length 28" barrels are firmly attached and "ring" nicely with no loose ribs or dead spots. The bores are good - mostly shiny with some scattered pitting primarily near the breech. The right barrel is cylinder choked and the left barrel is modified choked. The short barrels and wide chokes make this gun ideal for upland game in heavy brush. This gun actually comes from my personal collection and I can personally attest to its effectiveness against both woodcock and mourning dove. As a damascus-twist barrel, I should note that it is not safe to fire with modern shells, and I've always loaded 2 1/2" black powder shells for all my old doubles.
The locks both work great and the burled walnut stock features a 14" length of pull. Neither stock has and major damage. There was a crack in the wrist when I purchased the gun, but I repaired it with modern epoxy and blended it into the checkering. So its very hard to see, but can be spotted if looking for it. The repair has held up quite well and I've put more than 1,000 shells through it without it opening back up.
This rare shotgun is a lot of fun to shoot, and even more fun to give to your buddies and watch them try to figure out how to open it. Its served me well for quite a few years, but now its time to find it a new home.
