*VERY FINE, KELL ENGRAVED, E. J. CHURCHILL PREMIER XXV BAKER PATENT EASY OPENING, SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN.

SN 4681. (ca 1931) Cal. 12 ga. 2-5/8″ Chambers. 25″ Chopper lump bbls with Churchill rib are gold inlaid “XXV” and “1” on rear portion of rib (gun is one of a pair with “1” also gold inlaid on top lever and forend tip). Tops of bbls with 1-1/4″ triangles of scroll at breech ends are engraved “E. J. Churchill (Gunmakers) Ltd” and “Orange St. Gunworks. Leicester Square. London.” Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2″ chambers. SN is engraved on bottom of each bbl. “MADE IN ENGLAND” is engraved on splinter. Slim, case hardened, Baker patent easy opening action was a highly regarded standard of the pre-war London trade, being used by many gunmakers such as Lancaster, where it was called the 12-20, and Joseph Lang. Action features automatic safety, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action is engraved with exceptionally well cut small shaded scroll surrounding vignette of trio of ducks in various attitudes in flight over marsh in the same manner as borderless game scenes on lockplates in the style designed by, and in this case engraved by, the renown Harry Kell. Left lockplate depicts a covey of red grouse flushing from heather and departing over moor (beaters view), with right side depicting them coming in low to what can be imagined as your gun position. A “smoke” of this exact right lockplate scene is illustrated in the chapter on Harry Kell in BRITISH GUN ENGRAVING by Douglas Tate. “E. J. Churchill” is in scrolled riband at front portion of each lockplate. Double beaded trigger guard depicts a trio of woodcock in woodlands. SN is in scrolled riband on scroll engraved short tang. Nicely marbled and beautifully figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4″ over checkered wood butt with engraved steel heel and toe plates, and features drop points and point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left-.729, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.017 (mod), right -.009 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.025, right -.027. Drop at heel: 2-5/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4″. Included with gun is an old Iver Johnson marked leg o’ mutton case with brass plaque on side engraved “W. B. Mc Ilvaine Jr. LAKE FOREST”. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 95% of what appears to be their orig blue with some light nicks and marks, and silvered slightly at muzzles and breech. Action retains approx 40% orig case hardening color, pleasingly silvered from normal hand wear. Lockplates retain nearly all of their orig color. Top lever and trigger guard are considerably silvered at areas of normal wear. Well done replacement buttstock retains nearly all its orig finish with light marks and scratches, and one a bit heavier on left side. Orig forend wood has been refinished, checkering re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Case is good, straps and handle missing. A very fine “golden age” lightweight gun with unusual special order engraving. 4-51440 MGM273 (12,500-18,000) – Lot 2220

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2220	$13,225.00	VERY FINE, KELL ENGRAVED, E. J. CHURCHILL PREMIER XXV BAKER PATENT EASY OPENING, SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN. SN 4681. (ca 1931) Cal. 12 ga. 2-5/8″ Chambers. 25″ Chopper lump bbls with Churchill rib are gold inlaid “XXV” and “1” on rear portion of rib (gun is one of a pair with “1” also gold inlaid on top lever and forend tip). Tops of bbls with 1-1/4″ triangles of scroll at breech ends are engraved “E. J. Churchill (Gunmakers) Ltd” and “Orange St. Gunworks. Leicester Square. London.” Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-1/2″ chambers. SN is engraved on bottom of each bbl. “MADE IN ENGLAND” is engraved on splinter. Slim, case hardened, Baker patent easy opening action was a highly regarded standard of the pre-war London trade, being used by many gunmakers such as Lancaster, where it was called the 12-20, and Joseph Lang. Action features automatic safety, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Action is engraved with exceptionally well cut small shaded scroll surrounding vignette of trio of ducks in various attitudes in flight over marsh in the same manner as borderless game scenes on lockplates in the style designed by, and in this case engraved by, the renown Harry Kell. Left lockplate depicts a covey of red grouse flushing from heather and departing over moor (beaters view), with right side depicting them coming in low to what can be imagined as your gun position. A “smoke” of this exact right lockplate scene is illustrated in the chapter on Harry Kell in BRITISH GUN ENGRAVING by Douglas Tate. “E. J. Churchill” is in scrolled riband at front portion of each lockplate. Double beaded trigger guard depicts a trio of woodcock in woodlands. SN is in scrolled riband on scroll engraved short tang. Nicely marbled and beautifully figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4″ over checkered wood butt with engraved steel heel and toe plates, and features drop points and point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left-.729, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.017 (mod), right -.009 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.025, right -.027. Drop at heel: 2-5/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4″. Included with gun is an old Iver Johnson marked leg o’ mutton case with brass plaque on side engraved “W. B. Mc Ilvaine Jr. LAKE FOREST”. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 95% of what appears to be their orig blue with some light nicks and marks, and silvered slightly at muzzles and breech. Action retains approx 40% orig case hardening color, pleasingly silvered from normal hand wear. Lockplates retain nearly all of their orig color. Top lever and trigger guard are considerably silvered at areas of normal wear. Well done replacement buttstock retains nearly all its orig finish with light marks and scratches, and one a bit heavier on left side. Orig forend wood has been refinished, checkering re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Case is good, straps and handle missing. A very fine “golden age” lightweight gun with unusual special order engraving. 4-51440 MGM273 (12,500-18,000) – Lot 2220 Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*VERY FINE, KELL ENGRAVED, E. J. CHURCHILL PREMIER XXV BAKER PATENT EASY OPENING, SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN.