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LOT 530
Fine Factory Engraved E. J. Churchill “Premiere” Sidelock
Over/Under Ejector Shotgun - Serial no. 3033, 12 gauge, 32 inch vent rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1925 per the chart on page 104 of Nigel
332
Brown’s “British Gunmakers Volume One: London”. Blued steel
barrels with dual white bead sights on the matted vent rib, Leicester Square address on the left of the barrel, Churchill maker’s mark and London
nitro proofs on the right, floral scroll engraving at the breech, and 2 3/4 inch chambers. The casehardened sidelock action with blued hold open top lever displays extensive floral scroll engraving with “E. J. CHURCHILL”
in banners on either lockplate and “LA/PREMIERE/QUALITE” in gold on the underside. The engraving extends to the rolled edge trigger guard, top lever, and both tangs. The gun
features double triggers with gold inlaid “L” and “R” as well as a tang mounted manual safety with gold “SAFE”. Nicely figured, multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings,
including the Anson button style release and round knob pistol grip stock with teardrop carved flats and adjustable Kick-Eez recoil pad. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore
diameter nine inches from the breech both proved at 12 (.729 inches) and measured .730/.731 inches; choke constriction .028/.038 inches; minimum wall thickness .025/.024 inches; 1 5/16 inch drop at comb; 1 15/16 inch drop at heel; 14 7/16 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs. 3 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 99% original blue finish, 75% original case colors with the balance an attractive silver, and light handling evidence. The stock is also very fine with a few scattered dings and scratches, several repaired cracks in the forend and stockhead, and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,000
LOT 531
Fine and Very Rare
Engraved Charles Lancaster 16 Bore Double Barrel Over-And-Under
Ejector Shotgun - Serial no. 013586, 16 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut stock. The maker’s records confirm that this rare gun, serial no. 013586, was sold in 1913 to a Horace E. Cook Esq. According to Geoffrey & Susan Boothroyd in their book “The British Over-And-Under
Shotgun” (Chapter 16), H.A.A. Thorn, the then owner of Charles Lancaster, took out a
patent (No. 12,057 of May 14, 1910) for “providing double-barreled guns, of the kind
having superposed barrels, with ejector mechanism”. Expanding on the fact that the
patent is for ejectors only, a letter published in “The Field” magazine on June 30, 1910
is mentioned that confirms the guns were purchased ‘in the white’ from Germany and were finished and fitted with ejectors by Lancaster in London. With blued barrels engraved “WHITWORTH STEEL” and “2 3/4 CASE” on the bolsters, each barrel struck with London nitro proof and reproof marks and Whitworth trademark. The over barrel with white bead sight
and engraved with scrollwork at the breech end and on the doll’s head extension. Scalloped boxlock action with blued top lever, automatic safety with silver inlaid “SAFE”, signed
“CHARLES LANCASTER” on each side and engraved with scrollwork. Blued trigger guard with border and scroll engraving. Figured straight-hand stock including 3/4 inch orange rubber butt pad, with
checkered panels to the grip and forearm, the latter with Deeley Edge fastener and dark horn cap, the underside of the butt with silver oval initial escutcheon engraved with the monogram “G.E.C.” Barrel
and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech, reproved but no definitive measurement visible (original 16/16 marks visible), measured at .667/.665 inches; choke constriction
.014/.005 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.032 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 3 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 5/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrels retain 98% reblued finish with slightly softened engraving at the breech end of the over barrel. Action cleaned bright, clear engraving. Top lever, trigger guard and forearm iron reblued. Stock refinished with softened drop points, well-defined recut multi-point checkering, minor handling losses to upper corners of forearm wood, some scattered storage and handling blemishes and bruises throughout, forearm wood cracked at rear on each side. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 532
Factory Engraved Von Lengerke & Detmold Retailed Greifelt & Co. 20 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun with Case - Serial no. 35798, 20 gauge, 26 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Blued Krupp Laufstahl barrels with a single steel bead sight on the matted solid rib, “VON
LENGERKE & DETMOLD INC” and “NEW-YORK, N.Y. U.S. AGENTS” marked on the right and left of the upper barrel respectively, 1933 dated German proofs, light engraving at the breech, chambers marked 2 1/2 inches with ejectors, double Kersten crossbolts, and chokes measured full/full. Lightly engraved casehardened boxlock action with a single selective trigger and tang mounted safety. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered forend and round knob pistol grip stock with hard rubber buttplate. Includes a leather mutton leg style takedown case. Stock measurements: 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 14 9/16 inch length of pull; weight 5 lbs. 2 oz. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% original blue and casehardened finishes with minor handling evidence. The wood is very good with some slight gaps, forend sits slightly loose, scattered light scratches, and overall sharp checkering. The case is very good with some stitching loose and light wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500