GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
CHURCHILL IMPERIAL XXV SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH CASE.CHURCHILLIMPERIAL545320 GAMODERN; C&R(ca 1938) Cal. 20 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. In 1953 the "Imperial" was priced at 200 pounds, whereas the top of the line "Premier" self-opener was 300 pounds. It was a fine quality sidelock gun at a good price. This small gauge example with 25" chopper lump bbls with Churchill rib gold inlaid "XXV" are engraved "E. J. Churchill (Gun Makers) Ltd" and "Orange St. Gunworks, Leicester Square, London." on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. SNs are on bottoms of bbls.A small sling stud is attached to bottom rib. Small case hardened bar action sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), and double triggers. Action is engraved in typical attractive "Imperial" style with large and small well cut open shaded scroll at nearly full coverage. "E. J. Churchill" is on the front of each lockplate. An Imperial crown is inlaid in gold on bottom of action. Trigger guard is engraved with somewhat deeper scroll and has SN on scrolled riband at grip. Well marbled European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/4" over approx 2-1/2" long lengthening piece that has been blended and matched so well as to be nearly invisible. Wood butt is plain, uncheckered. Stock features drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and the gold initials "WRC" individually inlet on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left-.614, right -.614. Bore restrictions: left -.017 (Mod), right -.006 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.030, right -.030. Drop at heel: 2-11/16", drop at comb: 1-11/16". Weight: 5 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Dark brown leather Abercrombie & Fitch marked toe under "VC" case with stitched leather corners is lined in dark burgundy cloth and contains a pair of snap caps. CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain 75 - 80% orig blue with considerable silvering and a few light marks. Action retains 60 - 70% orig case color, silvered and browning on bottom and beads. Lockplates retain over 80% of their color. Top lever is silvered at thumbpiece, trigger guard at grip. Buttstock retains nearly all of its synthetic finish with a few light marks, sharp edges somewhat rounded. Checkering is worn and does not appear to have been re-cut. Forend retains most of its orig finish. Case leather is excellent with a few minor rubs and marks. Straps and handle are fine. Interior cloth is fine with some marks and compressions. Some partitions in action compartment have been moved and cloth has some tears. A lightweight well balanced, golden age, small bore. 51747-1 MGM151 (5,000-8,000)