A.H. Fox
A.H. Fox shotguns rank among the most respected American side-by-side doubles ever built. Founded in Philadelphia in 1906 by Ansley H. Fox, the brand earned its reputation on the trap field and in the uplands, and it carried Theodore Roosevelt's shotgun to Africa. Today, Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company builds each A.H. Fox by hand in New Britain, Connecticut, using the original specifications, grades, and engraving patterns. Buyers researching A.H. Fox shotguns for sale will find models ranging from the classic Sterlingworth to high grade FE and Exhibition guns, each suited to hunting, sporting clays, and collecting.
Product Focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes A.H. Fox shotguns today?
Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company (CSMC), based in New Britain, Connecticut, is the current manufacturer and trademark holder of A.H. Fox shotguns. CSMC has produced new A.H. Fox side-by-side doubles since reaching an agreement with Savage Arms in 1994, building each gun to the original Philadelphia-era specifications with a combination of precision machining and hand finishing.
How much does a new A.H. Fox shotgun cost?
Pricing depends heavily on grade. Entry-level new-production A Grade models start in the lower five-figure range, while higher grades such as the CE, XE, and FE climb well beyond that, and fully custom Exhibition Grade guns with gold inlay and hand-selected walnut can run significantly higher. Contacting CSMC directly is the most reliable way to get current pricing, since grade, gauge, and custom options all affect the final cost.
What is the difference between A.H. Fox grades?
A.H. Fox grades are distinguished primarily by wood quality, engraving coverage, and metal finishing, moving from the working-grade Sterlingworth and base A Grade up through CE, XE, FE, and the fully custom Exhibition Grade. Higher grades use finer walnut, more extensive hand engraving, and additional custom options such as gold inlay, while lower grades focus on durability and value for field use.
Is the A.H. Fox Sterlingworth a good hunting gun?
Yes. The Sterlingworth was designed from 1910 onward as an affordable, rugged field gun, and original examples in good condition are still used for upland bird hunting today. Its straightforward boxlock action and solid build have kept it in active use among hunters who prefer a classic American double over a modern semi-automatic or over-under.
How long does it take to get a new A.H. Fox shotgun?
Because CSMC builds A.H. Fox shotguns largely by hand and in limited quantities, new orders typically involve a waiting period rather than off-the-shelf availability, particularly for higher grades or fully custom specifications. Buyers researching a new A.H. Fox should expect to work directly with the manufacturer on gauge, grade, and stock dimensions, which extends build time compared to a mass-produced shotgun.
Are vintage A.H. Fox shotguns still safe to shoot?
Many original Philadelphia and Utica-era A.H. Fox shotguns from the early twentieth century remain safe for use in field or clay target shooting, provided they have been inspected by a qualified gunsmith familiar with vintage doubles. Bore condition, barrel wall thickness, and choke should always be checked before shooting older Fox guns, and any gun with visible pitting, cracks, or non-original alterations should be evaluated professionally before use.
About
A.H. Fox is a heritage American shotgun brand built around a single idea: a side-by-side double should be strong enough for a lifetime of hard hunting and refined enough to hand down for generations. The name traces back to Ansley H. Fox, a Baltimore-born trapshooting champion who designed his own boxlock action and built it into one of the most durable double guns of the early twentieth century.
The A.H. Fox trademark and manufacturing rights are now held by Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company (CSMC), based in New Britain, Connecticut. CSMC produces new A.H. Fox shotguns using the original Philadelphia-era specifications, combining CNC precision machining with hand fitting, hand engraving, and hand checkering on every gun. Because production volume stays low and much of the work is done by hand, new A.H. Fox shotguns are built to order rather than mass produced, which keeps waiting lists common for buyers who want a custom-fit gun in a specific grade, gauge, or barrel length.
For hunters and collectors comparing American-made side-by-side shotguns, A.H. Fox occupies a place alongside Parker and the Winchester Model 21 as one of the great classic doubles, with the added advantage that new guns are still being built to order rather than sourced only on the vintage market.