October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
(1935) Well struck 25" chopper lump barrels are fitted with narrow Churchill rib, gold inlaid "XXV" and "1" at breech end. ("1" is also gold inlaid on top lever and forend tip.) Breech ends of barrels are engraved with 1 - 1/2" triangles of well cut scroll. Tops of barrels are engraved "E. J. Churchill. (Gun Makers) Ltd" and "Orange St Gunworks. Leicester Square London." Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2 - 1/2" chambers. Case hardened, highly regarded Baker patent easy-opening sidelock action (as used on the Lancaster 12-20 and other lightweight guns of the '30's), features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold line tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action and locks are engraved in late "Premiere" style with full coverage very nicely cut medium sized shaded scroll within scroll borders. "E. J. Churchill" is in scroll terminated riband on each lockplate. Blued top lever, trigger plate, and double beaded trigger guard are engraved with matching scroll. Serial number is on trigger guard tang. Lightly streaked and somewhat fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15" over unfinished, but shaped, wood butt. Nicely shaped drop points are behind locks and closely spaced point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Interior of iron is gold inlaid "Churchill" "Premiere Model" "No 5157". Gun is housed in what appears to be its original two gun Churchill type VC case with stitched leather corners. Leather rectangle on top is in gold embossed "Bartlett" "Burnap". Interior is lined in burgundy cloth and has celluloid Churchill labels on dividing flap. Case contains black Decelerator rifle pad and a detached corner. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refurbished. Barrels retain nearly all of what appears to be original blue with some light marks and silvering at muzzles, but are probably a high quality re-blue. Action retains 40 - 50% original case hardening color which was never vivid. Lockplates retain over 90% original color. Top lever, floorplate, and trigger guard retain nearly all of a correct charcoal re-blue. Near factory quality newer buttstock retains over 95% of its original finish. Original forend is lightly refinished, checkering re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case is good, leather darkening with numerous scuffs and rubs. One corner is detached. Handles are good. Interior cloth is good, soiled and rubbed. Partitions moved to accommodate longer stocks. A well balanced, fast handling gun. MGM 122
Item Dimensions: 27 x 7 x 7"
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .029 R .029
Chamber
2 - 1/2" (actual measurement is 2 - 5/8")
Choke
L .011 (mod) R .011 (mod)
Internal Bore Diameter
L .730 R .730
Length Of Pull
15" cast about 1/2 off
Manufacturer
E.J. Churchill