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LOT 3466
Factory Engraved Manufacture Francaise d’Armes Et Cycles De St.
Etienne 16 Bore Double Barrel Shot & Ball Hammer Gun with Shotgun
Barrels and Case - Serial no. 13047, 16 gauge, 29 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in the early 20th century. Built with blued Hercule Trempe steel barrels
featuring a dovetailed blade front sight, a two folding leaf rear sight on the matted rear quarter rib regulated at 50
and 100 yards/meters, “MANUFACTURE FRANCAISE” and D’ARMES ET CYCLES DE SAINT-ETIENNE” marked on the left and
right of the breech respectively, St. Etienne proof marks on the flats, 2000 dated Birmingham nitro proof marks on the tubes, front
sling swivels
for both traditional and
retractable slings, and chambers with a single extractor. The barrels
are fitted to the casehardened sideclipped hammer fired sidelock
action with engraving at the knuckle and on the fences, checkered
hammers, matted top, rebounding hammers, and double triggers. The
gun is fitted with an attractive well-figured and multi-point fine skip-
line checkered forend with rotary latch release and a contrasting tip inlay
as well as a round knob semi-pistol grip stock with rear sling swivel, retractable
leather sling, and a rubber recoil pad. Included is a matching numbered 29 inch 12 gauge barrel
set with choke constrictions of .001/.023 inches and 2 1/2 inch chambers with extractor. The
entire set is housed in the included leather flat case with canvas cover marked “J.P.” and “H.G.L.”
respectively. Includes a bullet mold and reloading tools. Length of pull 14 1/2 inches.
Weight 8 lbs. 1 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored, retaining 97% blue finish, 99% case colors,
some spotting on the underside of the barrels near the muzzle, and light handling evidence. The
wood shows a repair at the toe and a small crack in the recoil pad base; otherwise, the wood is
also very fine with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good and the extra
barrel set is very fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3465
Factory Engraved E. J. Churchill
XXV Premier Sidelock Double Barrel Shotgun with Case - Serial
no. 6565, 12 gauge, 25 inch solid rib bbl., black/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Completed circa 1944 according to page 104 of Nigel Brown’s
“British Gunmakers Volume One: London”. Built with blacked steel chopperlump barrels
featuring a single bead sight on the hand filed “Churchill” rib which is
marked with a gold “XXV” at the base, wedges of
floral scroll engraving at either breech, maker’s signature and address on the right
and left tube respectively, import mark on the left flat, and 2 1/2 inch chambers
with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the assisted-opening sidelock
action which displays highly attractive foliate scroll engraving surrounding “E. J.
CHURCHILL” signatures on either lockplate along with “PREMIERE/FINEST/QUALITY” on the underside before continuing onto the toplever,
double rolled trigger guard, and both tangs. The gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point flat-top checkered splinter forend
with engraved iron and an Anson button release as well as a straight hand stock with tear drop carved drop points, “ERH” in the gold
inscription oval, and a leather covered recoil pad. Includes a maker’s very compact toe-under case. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L):
bore diameter nine inches from the breech proofed at “12” (.729 inches) and measured .731/.734 inches; choke constriction .006/.022
inches; minimum wall thickness .025/.026 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 inch drop at heel; 14 15/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 6 lbs. 3 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as restored, retaining 99% black finish on the barrels and 50% on the lower tang/trigger guard, 30% original muted case colors with the balance
a fine silver patina, light handling evidence, softened barrel markings and engraving, some light dings and scratches on the wood, and crisp checkering on the stock and forend.
Mechanically excellent. The case is fine.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000