GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EXQUISITE, LIGHTWEIGHT PAIR OF LONG BARRELED 20 GAUGE E. J. CHURCHILL "PREMIERE" PINLESS SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS WITH CASE.CHURCHILLSXS PREMIERE10021/1002220 GAMODERN; C&R(1998) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 27" Chopper lump bbls are engraved "E. J. Churchill (Gunmakers) London - England" on narrow, swamped, game ribs, which are also gold inlaid with either "1" or "2" denoting a pair. These numerals also appear on top levers and forend tips. There are 1" triangles of nicely cut scroll on breech ends of bbls. Bbl flats are stamped with 1998 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4' chambers. SNs are on bottoms of bbls. Scaled down, pinless sidelock, case hardened actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, gold inlaid arrow tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Actions are engraved with full coverage classic Churchill house "Premiere" style medium shaded scroll which is very well cut, and executed by engraver, R. Collinet, whose signature is on trigger plates. "E. J. Churchill" is tastefully gold inlaid on scroll terminated ribands at the front part of each lockplate. Bottoms of actions are gold inlaid "E. J. Churchill" "Premiere" "Model". Blued and scroll engraved double beaded trigger guards have SNs gold inlaid on long tangs. Spectacular, beautifully matched, dark and light marbled, lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 14-3/4" over checkered wood butts. Stocks feature typical drop points, point pattern checkering, and gold ovals on toe lines engraved "RBA". Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Gun no. "1": Bore diameter: left -.630, right - .630. Bore restrictions: left - .010 (mod), right - .006 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .025, right - .026. Drop at heel: 1-15/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Cast off approx 1/2". Weight: 5 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Gun no. "2": Bore diameter: left -.630, right - .630. Bore restrictions: left - .010 (mod), right - .005 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .027, right - .023. Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast off approx 5/8". Weight: 5 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Churchill type VC two-gun leather case with stitched leather corners, houses each gun in its own compartment separated by central divider. Case is lined in royal blue cloth with blue printed E. J. Churchill label on divider. Bottom compartment houses high quality cleaning equipment, and Churchill marked snap caps and oil bottle in hinged covered receptacle. Corresponding area of top holds a bench cloth. PROVENANCE: Invoice copy, for these guns ca 2000, for approx 51,000 pounds for the pair. CONDITION: Essentially as new. Appear little fired since proof, with only the faintest cartridge halos on breech faces, and only the lightest of handling and assembly marks on wood and metal finishes. Case has a few minor marks and rubs on exterior leather. Interior has some very light compressions. A lovely, dynamic pair of guns. 50623-6 mgm19 (50,000-80,000)