Philadelphia Fox 12ga.(early production) info.& value

[glshop20]

I recently purchased a Philidelphia Fox 12ga. 26" barrels(ic/mod) double triggers, extractor only. The action is nice and tight. Barrels are shiney. Metal is clean and finish is worn as would be expected. ser.# x99(located on rear of trigger guard tang, inside plate of forend release, inside top of reciever-barrels removed) Parker style hinge pin. Right and left side of reciever the word FOX , one of the action pins has 3 arrows pointing to it. Bottom of reciever has 3 screws, 1-centered near rear of reciever w/ 4-arrows pointing to it. 2 screws foward left and right w/2 arrows each pointing to screw. Inside reciever top barrels removed one side of lug channel is serial# other side reads PAT. AUG 16 1904. On barrel rib top/near reciever PHILADELPHIA ARMS CO. MAKERS PHILA. PA KRUPP FLUID STEEL. It is lightly engraved on many surfaces. The gun was in very low % condition. I refinished the wood to an original look and recut checkering which was very worn. I also touched up barrels with oxpho-blue very lightly, just to even the color some. Any oponions would be appreciated. Thanks, Walt

[Graybeard]

The refinishing work you did remove ALL collector value the piece might have otherwise had. It now has value only as a shooter. Similar guns can be had brand new these days in the $300-$400 range from various brands. When I same similar I mean similar characteristics not same brand.

I'm no proper judge of value of such old guns but I think you'd be hard pressed to get more than $300 for it now that you've removed any collector value by refinishing. Strange as it seems guns have more value in original condition regardless of what that condition is than refinished as you did.

[glshop20]

I plan to use this fox for hunting and skeet(even though chokes are somewhat tight)  It's appearance was very poor even though it is sound mechanically.  I consulted with several people knowledgeable about antique firearms before refinishing and their opinion is that when a gun is in low percentage collector condition you will not hurt the value since you are paying a low price to start with.  In fact the value should increase, maybe not to 80% or 90% original condition value, but it will not decrease the value of a low priced firearm.   This shotgun was probably in 20% condition appearance wise.Thanks for your opinion, I think it may vary from area to area to some degree.   Walt