GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
SCARCE E. J. CHURCHILL PREMIERE PINLESS SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER "WOODWARD PATTERN" OVER-UNDER HEAVY GAME GUN WITH CASE.E. J. CHURCHILLPREMIERE PINLESS SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER OVER-UNDER GAME GUN385112 GA.MODERN(ca 1927) Cal. 12 ga. 3" Chambers. 28" Demi-bloc bbls fitted with solid, matted, flat rib are engraved "E. J. Churchill. (Gunmakers). Ltd" and "39 To 42. Leicester Square. London. England." on top bbl either side of rib. Breech end of top bbl has 1" triangles of well cut shaded scroll. Ejector bosses and forend housing are also scroll engraved. Bottom of bottom bbl is stamped with London nitro proofs for 3" chambers and "CHOKE". Robust, case hardened, low profile OU action with trunnions similar to the Woodward OU, is stocked to the fences and fitted with Churchill''s pinless sidelocks. Action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and single non-selective trigger. Action is engraved with complete coverage of medium and small well cut shaded scroll with scroll borders. "E. J. CHURCHILL" is in scroll terminated riband on each lockplate. "The - PREMIERE - Quality" is inlaid in gold on bottom of action. Top lever, trigger plate, and double beaded trigger guard are also scroll engraved. SN is at grip. Well marbled and lightly figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over reddish brown Decelerator pad. Stock features drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip, and individual gold initials "NS" inlet on toe line. Matching small ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: top -.730, bottom -.730. Bore restrictions: top -.032 (full), bottom -.032 (full). Wall thickness: top -.018, bottom -.022. Drop at heel: 2-1/2", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 8 lbs 5 oz. LOP: 14-5/8”. What appears to be orig makers VC leather case with stitched leather corners is gold embossed "NORMAN SLADE" on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth, and has Churchill''s unique celluloid labels in lid. Case contains a pair of Churchill marked snap caps, Churchill marked square oil bottle, as well as a mop and brush. PROVENANCE: Copy of Rendcombian Society Newsletter, mentioning Mr. Slade, under "old news" where it states "Norman Slade (1929-36) writes to say that he was in the Sudan 1942-55, with military and civil medical services, and is now a consultant urologist with Bristol hospitals." A listing of Churchill gun numbers. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a London quality re-black, with some slight subsequent silvering, engraving still clear. Case hardening of action is mostly faded to a pleasing silver gray with a considerable amount of color still left where protected by fence. Top lever, forend iron, trigger plate and trigger guard have been re-blued, and retain nearly all of that blue. Stocks have a glossy refinish over a number of marks and scratches, and retain nearly all of that finish. Pad is relatively new. Checkering correctly re-cut. Bores are excellent, with no noted dents. Action is tight. Bbls are very slightly off face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Trigger works. Case leather is still mostly light in color, darkened on edges with chipping and rubs, mostly on edges and corners. Handle is good. Interior cloth is very good with areas patched with leather where rubbed through, lightly soiled. Accessories are good. Snap caps show lots of wear and tear. An unusual heavy proof British OU. 49183-28 MGM33 (15,000-25,000)