GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
HIGHLY UNUSUAL 3" 12 BORE CHURCHILL "PREMIERE" GRADE "WOODWARD TYPE" OVER-UNDER TWO BARREL SET SHOTGUN IN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE CONDITION, WITH CASE.CHURCHILLOU PREMIERE683512 GAMODERN; C&R(1949) Cal. 12 ga. 3" Chambers. 25" and 27" Demi-bloc bbls are both fitted with unusual rounded, low, solid top ribs with matted centers and full length scroll engraved borders. Top bbls are engraved with Churchill's name and Orange Street London address, and have 1-1/4" triangles of scroll at breech ends. Left sides of top bbls and flats of bottom bbls are stamped with London nitro proofs for 3" chambers and 1-1/2 oz of shot. SNs are engraved on bottoms of bottom bbls. Woodward type, low profile, sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, gold plated internals, and gold plated dbl triggers (front "loose"). Note, front trigger is situated on left side of trigger plate. Action is engraved with near full coverage well cut, open, shaded scroll within scroll borders in typical "Premiere" Churchill style. "E. J. Churchill" is in scroll terminated riband at the front of each lockplate. Bottom of action is engraved "Premiere" "Finest" "Quality". Blued and scroll engraved double beaded trigger guard has SN on short tang. Nicely streaked European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-9/16" over checkered wood butt, and features standard drop points, point pattern checkering, slight diamond hand, and a large gold oval on toe line engraved "RBA". Matching full splinter forend has Anson type release. 25" BBLS (gold inlaid XXV at rear of rib): Bore diameter: top -.730, bottom - .731. Bore restrictions: top - .015 (lt mod), bottom - .006(IC). Wall thickness: top - .031, bottom - .026. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Cast off approx 1/8". Weight: 7 lbs. 11 oz. LOP: 14-9/16". 27" BBLS: Bore diameter: top -.730, bottom - .732. Bore restrictions: top - .046 (extra full), bottom - .043 (extra full). Wall thickness: top - .027, bottom - .027. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Cast off approx 1/8". Weight: 7 lbs. 15 oz. LOP: 14-9/16". What appears to be orig makers leather VC case with stitched leather corners, has blank brass rectangle set on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth and has space for gun and both sets of bbls. A gold embossed black leather Churchill label is in lid. PROVENANCE: Copy of ledger page. A note of bbl measurements. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Bbls retain over 95% what appears to be orig black with some silvering on extractor bosses, at breech end of 27" bbls, and with a touch at muzzles, along with a few minor marks and light scratches. Action retains nearly all of what appears to be its orig case hardening color, with some slight silvering on beads, but may be a London quality re-color. Top lever and trigger guard have some light silvering of blue on sharp edges. Blue at grip is beginning to thin. Gold wash is mostly lost from lock pins, and is rather thin on triggers. Stocks retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig finish, with some added oil and rubbing on butt portion, checkering possibly cleaned. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Both sets of bbls are on face. Ejectors are very strong and in time. Case leather is dark, and has been conserved, showing old scuffs and rubs, with a few subsequent rubs. Renewed straps and handle are very fine. Renewed interior cloth is excellent. What appears to be orig label is very fine. These Churchill OUs are quite scarce. This is a prime example, and the only one that this cataloger has seen, or ever heard of, with 3" chambers. 50623-4 mgm17 (25,000-40,000)