*SUPERB PAIR OF E. J. CHURCHILL PREMIER PINLESS SIDELOCK XXV GAME GUNS MADE FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES, LATER EDWARD VIII AND THE DUKE OF WINDSOR, WITH CASE, ALONG WITH ORIGINAL ROYAL WARRANT FROM THE PRINCE OF WALES.

SN 4131/ 4132. Cal. 12 ga. 2-5/8″ Chambers (Per factory letter and actual measurement). This lovely pair of top quality guns was ordered by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on January 9, 1931, with a note that they were wanted on January 14. The Prince was leaving on a trip to South America, undoubtedly to sample the unusual dove shooting found there. The Prince (later Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor) used these guns until the mid 1960’s when he changed to 20 bores. They have 25″ chopper lump bbls with Churchill ribs, which are gold inlaid “XXV” and with gold numerals “1” and “2” at rears. These numerals are also inlaid on top levers and forend tips. Tops of bbls are engraved “E. J. Churchill. (GUNMAKERS) Ltd” and “Orange St Gunworks. Leicester Square. London.” There are 1-1/4″ triangles of well cut shaded scroll on breech ends. SNs are engraved on bottoms of bbls. There are steel studs affixed to bottom ribs, most likely to anchor hand guards in place. Top-of-the-line Premier quality case hardened actions with pinless sidelocks feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold line tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Actions and lockplates are engraved with full coverage of exceptionally fine shaded scroll. “E. J. Churchill” is on scrolled ribbon on each lockplate, and “The – PREMIER – Quality” is gold inlaid on the bottom of each action. Top levers, trigger plates, and double beaded trigger guards are blued, and also scroll engraved. SNs are on tangs, which extend to small horn grip caps on, fittingly, “Prince of Wales” grips. Top notch, beautifully marbled, and pleasingly figured, well matching, circassian walnut Prince of Wales grip buttstocks measure 14-1/4″ over black leather covered pads, and feature small hands with point pattern checkering with mullered borders, drop points, and gold ovals on toe lines engraved with “E” surmounted by “Prince of Wales” plumes. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Gun no. “1“: Bore diameter: left -.725, right -.724. Bore restrictions: left -.011 (Lt Mod), right -.005 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.027, right -.027. Drop at heel: 2-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4”. Gun no. “2”: Bore diameter: left -.724, right -.725. Bore restrictions: left -.006 (IC), right -.006 (IC) (Orig specifications were “1/8 choke all bbls”). Minimum wall thickness: left -.028, right -.027. Drop at heel: 2-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4″. Churchill brown leather two gun VC case with stitched leather corners, having two compartments separated by hinged divider, has two celluloid labels attached to divider, one inscribed with Churchill name and address, the other marked “THE “V.C.” GUN CASE” “SOLE MAKERS” “E. J. CHURCHILL (GUN MAKERS) LTD.” “THE B.C.M/XXV. LONDON, ENG.” Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales to Robert Churchill of E.J. Churchill Gun Makers, LTD dated 2 May 1933 – 1936, with note of cancellation due to the death of the holder on 8 Sept 1958, in orig gilt frame with Prince of Wales plumes. Export license taped to back. PROVENANCE: Richard Schreiber Collection. Considerable amount of information concerning the sale of these guns by Sothebys, Gleneagles sale August 1987, as lot 72,where they garnered considerable interest by the sporting press, both before and after the sale. As noted in the auction catalog: “History of the Princes guns: On Jan. 9, 1931, after lunching with his parents, King George V and Queen Mary, the Prince of Wales visited Churchills to order a pair of “Premier Quality” guns, nos. 4131/2. Churchill’s records noted the following details: … barrel best sidelocks … HRH The Prince of Wales, York House … chokes 1/8 … 2-5/8″ chambers … small hand, half pistol grip … engraved with crowned “E”. In the mid 1960’s in advancing age when he changed to 20 bores, the Duke sold his Premier’s to a friend. Mr.Don Masters, who was general manager of Churchills at that time, recalls the Duke requesting his advice on the sale, and subsequently removing the Duke’s insignia from the stocks”. Also included are notes on Edward VIII, factory ledger page with specifications, Sotheby’s prices realized list, as well as info on Churchill guns and magazine articles about these guns, where they are pictured. Orig receipts for these guns sold at Gleneagles for 39000 pounds hammer plus VAT and premium for total of 48750 pounds are included along with an original framed Royal Warrant issued to Robert Churchill in 1933. CONDITION: Excellent, but showing honorable field use. Bbls retain 85 – 90% of what appears to be their orig blue, but is quite possibly an old factory re-blue, with a number of subsequent marks, silvering at muzzles, and some thinning. Actions retain a considerable amount, perhaps 40% of their orig case hardening color, percentage difficult to ascertain because of extent of engraving. Actions are pleasingly silvered on fences, beads, and on bottoms from normal handling. Lockplates retain over 70% of their orig case hardening color. Top levers are silvered at thumbpieces. Blue is thinning on trigger plates at tips, mostly on gun no. “1”. Trigger guards have strong orig blue between beads on bows, but are considerably silvered at grips. All engraving remains clear. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig rubbed oil finish, with some oil rubbed in as maintenance, with numerous light marks, dents, and scratches, checkering slightly worn and dirty. Leather covered pads appear to be of more recent vintage, with some slight scuffs, mostly on gun “1”. Bores are excellent, with some slight frosting, with evidence of dent being raised in gun “1”. Actions are very tight with recent re-joint. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case leather is still light in color with numerous lumps and bumps. A newer rectangle has been inset on top, removing orig inscription. Interior cloth is fine, with some rubs through, and a few patches, and soil from contact with guns and bbls. One handle is a replacement, other has been restitched. Labels are good. Royal warrant is excellent, with just a hint of foxing. Frame shows some rubs to gesso at corners, Prince of Wales plumes detached. Lovely unmolested guns with a Royal pedigree. 4-45944 (40,000-60,000) – Lot 2417

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	2417	$51,750.00	SUPERB PAIR OF E. J. CHURCHILL PREMIER PINLESS SIDELOCK XXV GAME GUNS MADE FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES, LATER EDWARD VIII AND THE DUKE OF WINDSOR, WITH CASE, ALONG WITH ORIGINAL ROYAL WARRANT FROM THE PRINCE OF WALES. SN 4131/ 4132. Cal. 12 ga. 2-5/8″ Chambers (Per factory letter and actual measurement). This lovely pair of top quality guns was ordered by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on January 9, 1931, with a note that they were wanted on January 14. The Prince was leaving on a trip to South America, undoubtedly to sample the unusual dove shooting found there. The Prince (later Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor) used these guns until the mid 1960’s when he changed to 20 bores. They have 25″ chopper lump bbls with Churchill ribs, which are gold inlaid “XXV” and with gold numerals “1” and “2” at rears. These numerals are also inlaid on top levers and forend tips. Tops of bbls are engraved “E. J. Churchill. (GUNMAKERS) Ltd” and “Orange St Gunworks. Leicester Square. London.” There are 1-1/4″ triangles of well cut shaded scroll on breech ends. SNs are engraved on bottoms of bbls. There are steel studs affixed to bottom ribs, most likely to anchor hand guards in place. Top-of-the-line Premier quality case hardened actions with pinless sidelocks feature automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold line tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers. Actions and lockplates are engraved with full coverage of exceptionally fine shaded scroll. “E. J. Churchill” is on scrolled ribbon on each lockplate, and “The – PREMIER – Quality” is gold inlaid on the bottom of each action. Top levers, trigger plates, and double beaded trigger guards are blued, and also scroll engraved. SNs are on tangs, which extend to small horn grip caps on, fittingly, “Prince of Wales” grips. Top notch, beautifully marbled, and pleasingly figured, well matching, circassian walnut Prince of Wales grip buttstocks measure 14-1/4″ over black leather covered pads, and feature small hands with point pattern checkering with mullered borders, drop points, and gold ovals on toe lines engraved with “E” surmounted by “Prince of Wales” plumes. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Gun no. “1“: Bore diameter: left -.725, right -.724. Bore restrictions: left -.011 (Lt Mod), right -.005 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.027, right -.027. Drop at heel: 2-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4”. Gun no. “2”: Bore diameter: left -.724, right -.725. Bore restrictions: left -.006 (IC), right -.006 (IC) (Orig specifications were “1/8 choke all bbls”). Minimum wall thickness: left -.028, right -.027. Drop at heel: 2-1/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4″. Churchill brown leather two gun VC case with stitched leather corners, having two compartments separated by hinged divider, has two celluloid labels attached to divider, one inscribed with Churchill name and address, the other marked “THE “V.C.” GUN CASE” “SOLE MAKERS” “E. J. CHURCHILL (GUN MAKERS) LTD.” “THE B.C.M/XXV. LONDON, ENG.” Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales to Robert Churchill of E.J. Churchill Gun Makers, LTD dated 2 May 1933 – 1936, with note of cancellation due to the death of the holder on 8 Sept 1958, in orig gilt frame with Prince of Wales plumes. Export license taped to back. PROVENANCE: Richard Schreiber Collection. Considerable amount of information concerning the sale of these guns by Sothebys, Gleneagles sale August 1987, as lot 72,where they garnered considerable interest by the sporting press, both before and after the sale. As noted in the auction catalog: “History of the Princes guns: On Jan. 9, 1931, after lunching with his parents, King George V and Queen Mary, the Prince of Wales visited Churchills to order a pair of “Premier Quality” guns, nos. 4131/2. Churchill’s records noted the following details: … barrel best sidelocks … HRH The Prince of Wales, York House … chokes 1/8 … 2-5/8″ chambers … small hand, half pistol grip … engraved with crowned “E”. In the mid 1960’s in advancing age when he changed to 20 bores, the Duke sold his Premier’s to a friend. Mr.Don Masters, who was general manager of Churchills at that time, recalls the Duke requesting his advice on the sale, and subsequently removing the Duke’s insignia from the stocks”. Also included are notes on Edward VIII, factory ledger page with specifications, Sotheby’s prices realized list, as well as info on Churchill guns and magazine articles about these guns, where they are pictured. Orig receipts for these guns sold at Gleneagles for 39000 pounds hammer plus VAT and premium for total of 48750 pounds are included along with an original framed Royal Warrant issued to Robert Churchill in 1933. CONDITION: Excellent, but showing honorable field use. Bbls retain 85 – 90% of what appears to be their orig blue, but is quite possibly an old factory re-blue, with a number of subsequent marks, silvering at muzzles, and some thinning. Actions retain a considerable amount, perhaps 40% of their orig case hardening color, percentage difficult to ascertain because of extent of engraving. Actions are pleasingly silvered on fences, beads, and on bottoms from normal handling. Lockplates retain over 70% of their orig case hardening color. Top levers are silvered at thumbpieces. Blue is thinning on trigger plates at tips, mostly on gun no. “1”. Trigger guards have strong orig blue between beads on bows, but are considerably silvered at grips. All engraving remains clear. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig rubbed oil finish, with some oil rubbed in as maintenance, with numerous light marks, dents, and scratches, checkering slightly worn and dirty. Leather covered pads appear to be of more recent vintage, with some slight scuffs, mostly on gun “1”. Bores are excellent, with some slight frosting, with evidence of dent being raised in gun “1”. Actions are very tight with recent re-joint. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case leather is still light in color with numerous lumps and bumps. A newer rectangle has been inset on top, removing orig inscription. Interior cloth is fine, with some rubs through, and a few patches, and soil from contact with guns and bbls. One handle is a replacement, other has been restitched. Labels are good. Royal warrant is excellent, with just a hint of foxing. Frame shows some rubs to gesso at corners, Prince of Wales plumes detached. Lovely unmolested guns with a Royal pedigree. 4-45944 (40,000-60,000) – Lot 2417 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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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*SUPERB PAIR OF E. J. CHURCHILL PREMIER PINLESS SIDELOCK XXV GAME GUNS MADE FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES, LATER EDWARD VIII AND THE DUKE OF WINDSOR, WITH CASE, ALONG WITH ORIGINAL ROYAL WARRANT FROM THE PRINCE OF WALES.