GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
FINE PAIR OF RARE LIGHTWEIGHT CHURCHILL "PREMIERE" SIDELOCK EJECTOR 2" "XXV" GAME GUNS WITH CASE.CHURCHILLSXS XXV7533/ 753412MODERN; C&RCal. 12 ga. 2" Chambers. 25" Chopper lump bbls are fitted with slightly raised Churchill ribs, gold inlaid "XXV" and with either "1" or "2" denoting a true pair. These guns are also gold inlaid with "1" or "2" on top levers and forend tips. Tops of bbls are engraved with Churchill name and Orange Street addresses. There are 1-1/4" triangles of scroll at breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped with British nitro proofs for 2" chambers at 2-3/4 tons per square inch, and ".729". It is interesting to note that gun "7533" has Birmingham proofs, and "7534" has London proofs. Small frame, Baker patent, easy opening, 12/20 type, sidelock actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold line tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Actions are engraved with full coverage medium scroll within line borders. "E. J. Churchill" is in scroll terminated riband on each lockplate. "Premiere" "Finest" "Quality" is on bottoms of actions. Blued double beaded trigger guards are also scroll engraved and SNs are on short tangs. Fairly well matched, lightly marbled and figured European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 15-1/4" over checkered wood butts, and feature typical drop points, point pattern checkering, and gold ovals engraved "R. W. C." Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Gun no. "1": Bore diameter: left -.729, right - .729. Bore restrictions: left - .019 (mod), right - .016 (mod). Wall thickness: left - .029, right - .029. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast: approx 1/2" off. Weight: 5 lbs. 11 oz. LOP: 15-1/4". Gun no. "2": Bore diameter: left -.730, right - .728. Bore restrictions: left - .021 (mod), right - .009 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .026, right - .025. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast: approx 1/2" off. Weight: 5 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 15-1/4". Guns are housed in their orig brown leather special Churchill VC two gun case with stitched leather corners lined in burgundy cloth with blue label on divider. Case contains 2-pc cleaning rod with brush and jag, and a Churchill marked square oil bottle. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a fine quality re-black, engraving somewhat softened. Action and lockplates retain over 60% of their orig case hardening color with loss due to normal hand wear. Right lockplate of gun "2" and color of gun "1" are considerably stronger. Stocks retain nearly all of an old hand rubbed oil finish with a few subsequent marks. Sharp edges are well preserved. Checkering is lightly worn, and has not been re-cut. Bores are excellent. Actions are tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case leather is darkening, with a number of scuffs and rubs. Handles are beginning to detach, but are still good. Interior cloth is fine with some rubs and soiling. Label is excellent. Accessories are good. Most 2" guns are made as boxlocks, sidelock guns are scarce. This pair of "best sidelocks" is exceptionally rare, possibly unique. 2" Cartridges are readily available from RST. 51080-1 MGM287 (15,000-25,000)