• Savage Arms Introduces New Fox A-Grade Side-by-Side Shotgun At 2017 NRA Annual Meeting

    While touring the Savage Arms factory in Westfield, MA back in November of 2005, I had the opportunity to discuss the future of the Fox brand with the companies CEO at the time, Ron Coburn, and the former V.P. of Sales, Brian Herrick. Ron expressed a strong interest in re-establishing the brand as a premium maker of side-by-side shotguns, but noted that such a venture would be difficult given today's shotgun market. Manufacturing such a firearm on a large scale would be cost prohibitive due to the amount of hand fitting required on such firearms, and this would drive the price well out of range of the majority of the companies existing customer base.

    More than a decade after that conversation took place I'm very happy to say that the Fox brand is finally being resurrected, and in a very noteworthy way. Not only is the brand returning, but the new Fox A-Grade side-by-side shotgun will be made right here in the good old U.S. of A. by the Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company (CSMC). While the cost to own this new side-by-side will still be fairly high with an MSRP of $4,999, when you think about it that's really a pretty fair price for a high quality, hand-crafted American Made double gun these days.

    As Savage's Director of Marketing, Bill Dermody explains in the video below, Savage had licensed Connecticut Shotgun the Fox name back in the early 1990's for use on some of the companies high end side-by-side shotguns which started at around $8,000 and went up from there. Savage looked at this relationship and thought, "If CSMC could build a similar quality shotgun at around the $5,000 price point and combine it with our [Savage's] extensive distribution network, it would have real potential."

    This new Fox A-Grade is a visual replica of the original A-Grade that was produced from 1906 thru 1942. Unlike the original Fox shotguns, this new A-Grade model will feature an Anson-Deeley Box Lock action. This is the design that A.H. Fox originally wanted to use for his shotguns but was unable to because they were patented and licensed to another maker. The new A-Grade also uses a different ejector design borrowed from the famed Holland & Holland company.

    As you can see in the accompanying photos, the new Fox A-Grade side-by-side is truly a work of art - as to be expected from Antony Galazan and his crew at Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company. This is the same company that has been reproducing the Winchester Model 21 and the Parker Shotgun for Remington, as well as their own line of fine side-by-side and over-under shotguns. Suffice to say, CSMC is easily one of the better known and more respected fine shotgun makers in the country today.





    Official Press Release:

    For more than a century, Fox shotguns have proven themselves as superb firearms and true works of art. The new Fox A Grade series presented by Savage™ builds upon that heritage of craftsmanship with shotguns that handle gracefully, point naturally and hit hard–with the same components and style that have made all Fox shotguns the envy of collectors. Each of the four box-lock side-by-sides in the series features a beautifully checkered American black walnut stock, splinter fore-end and a bone and charcoal case color-finished receiver. Available in 12 and 20 gauge, with 26- or 28-inch barrels.

    FEATURES:
    • Box lock, side-by-side shotgun
    • 14 1/2-inch length of pull, 1 1/2 inch drop at comb
    • American black walnut stock with oil finish and precision-cut checkering
    • Straight buttstock grip and splinter fore-end
    • 26- or 28-inch barrels with solid game rib
    • Front brass bead sight
    • Includes interchangeable improved cylinder, modified and full chokes
    • Double triggers and automatic safety
    • Bone and charcoal case color-finished receiver
    • Polymer carrying case




    Part #
    Gauge Barrel Length UPC MSRP
    19436 12ga 28" 0-11356-19436-7 $4,999
    19437 12ga 26" 0-11356-19437-4 $4,999
    19438 20ga 28" 0-11356-19438-1 $4,999
    19439 20ga 26" 0-11356-19439-8 $4,999