GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EARLY CHURCHILL UTILITY GRADE BOXLOCK EJECTOR HEAVY PROOF SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN WITH CASE.E. J. CHURCHILLUTILITY GRADE BOXLOCK EJECTOR HEAVY PROOF SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN213412 GA.MODERN; IVORY(ca 1914) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. One of the very first "Utility" grade (second quality boxlock) guns made. This gun has 25" dovetailed bbls. This is one of the earliest 25" guns (after the war they were dubbed the now famous XXV). Bbls are fitted with narrow, concave, matted, game rib, gold inlaid "1" at rear portion. Gun was no. "1" of a pair, with "1" also gold inlaid on top lever and forend tip. Tops of bbls are engraved "E. J. Churchill Gun & Rifle Manufacturer." and "8 Agar Street. Strand. London. W. C." Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers; bottoms of bbls with SNs. Anson & Deeley boxlock action features non-automatic safety (SAFE gold inlaid), hidden third fastener, and factory single non-selective trigger. Action is engraved with near full coverage well cut small scroll. "E. J. Churchill" is in riband on each side. Blued top lever, floorplate, trigger plate, and trigger guard are also scroll engraved. SN is at grip. Lightly figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over red Old English pad. Stock features drop points and standard checkering. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.730, right -.730. Bore restrictions: left -.024 (Imod), right -.014 (lt mod). Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.030. Drop at heel: 2-13/16", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz. LOP: 14-3/8”. Makers VC leather case with stitched leather corners is lined in burgundy cloth and has Churchill''s unique celluloid labels in lid. Case contains 2-pc wood and brass cleaning rod and two keys. CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain nearly all of an old satin re-blue over some light marks. Action retains 10 - 20% orig color where protected, but is mostly a silver gray. Blued parts retain some of their orig blue. What is most likely a replacement buttstock is well done, and retains most of its orig finish. Forend shows considerable wear to checkering, borders re-outlined. Bores are excellent, lightly frosted toward breech ends. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works. Case leather is good with numerous bumps and rubs, handle getting tired but is intact. Interior cloth is good with some rubs and soiling. Labels are excellent. Cleaning rod pieces mismatched, one end is very new. When this gun was made it was on the cutting edge of Churchill''s highly touted improvements. Front bead sight is "certifiable antique ivory". 49023-3 MGM51 (3,000-4,500)