GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
TWENTY GAUGE CHURCHILL "XXV" "UTILITY MODEL" SECOND QUALITY BOXLOCK EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUN WITH ORIGINAL VC CASE AND ACCESSORIES.CHURCHILLSXS XXV433520 GAW/CASE, CL ROD, 2 CL ATTACHEMENTS, 1 KEYMODERN; C&R(ca 1929) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 25" Dovetailed bbls are gold inlaid "XXV" on rear portion of Churchill matted rib. Makers name and Orange Street address are engraved on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. SNs are engraved on bottoms of bbls. The utility model boxlock was second in line after the "Best" boxlock, with two other grades below it, and is very nicely finished. Case hardened action has nicely filed beads around fences, and features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), hidden Purdey type third fastener, and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage exceptionally well cut traditional rose and scroll. "E. J. Churchill" is in riband on each side. Model and "XXV" (gold) are on blued floorplate. There is more rose and scroll on trigger guard bow, and SN is on tang. Streaked and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over Silver type pad. Point pattern checkering is at grip, and individual gold initials "F R C" are on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.620, right - .615. Bore restrictions: left - .018 (mod), right - .007 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .025, right - .032. Drop at heel: 2-7/16", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Cast: approx 1/8 off. Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Makers orig leather VC case with stitched leather corners, is gold embossed "F.R.C." on top, matching initials on buttstock. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth, and celluloid Churchill tags with address and VC case info, are in lid. Case contains pair of Churchill marked snap caps, 2-pc beech and brass cleaning rod with some brushes, etc. CONDITION: Very fine to excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain 85% orig blue, thinned from normal hand wear, silvered at muzzles and with numerous light marks. Action retains 90% orig case hardening color, which is quite vivid under new lacquer. Top lever and floorplate retain over 80% of their orig blue. Blue on trigger guard considerably flaked, with only about 10% remaining. Stocks retain nearly all of an oil refinish over numerous marks, some fairly deep, checkering re-cut and is sharp. There are some chips missing from wood on left side of forend. Bores are excellent. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case leather is good, with marks and scuffs, darkened on corners. Handle replaced. Interior cloth is very fine with some marks from contact with bbls. Accessories are good. Despite the fashion for long bbl guns in this day and age, these XXV guns have a great following amongst New England grouse hunters, and others that hunt in heavy cover. 53075-2 mgm30 (3,500-5,500)