E.J. CHURCHILL (GUNMAKERS) LTD., 8 AGAR ST., STRAND, LONDON, W.C., SERIAL NO. 2300

Details

A VERY RARE 12-BORE 'MONTE CARLO MODEL' LIVE PIGEON SIDELOCK TOPLEVER HAMMERGUN
E.J. CHURCHILL (GUNMAKERS) LTD., 8 AGAR ST., STRAND, LONDON, W.C., SERIAL NO. 2300
With reblacked barrels signed in full on the tubes, matt rib fitted with two beads, action with carved percussion fences and signed 'MONTE CARLO MODEL FINEST QUALITY' on the underside, signed rebounding locks with blued pins, reblued toplever and trigger-guard, the latter with gold-inlaid monogram, figured 15 ¼ in. pistolgrip stock with raised comb and beaver-tail fore-end, dark horn pistolgrip-cap, profusely engraved throughout with tight scrollwork, retaining some original case-hardened finish with later thin lacquer finish to locks and action, in original maker's leather 'V.C.' case fitted for two sets of barrels, the lid initialled 'St. J.P.'
31 in. (78.8 cm.) nitro barrels, 3 in. chambers, bored approx. ¾ & full choke; second set 25 in. (63.5 cm.) sleeved nitro barrels by another, 3 in. chambers, bored approx. imp. cyl. & ¾ choke
8 lbs.

Provenance

The owner of the Churchill records has kindly confirmed that this pigeon gun was completed in 1919 for a G.H. Court with 31 inch barrels by Kelly. A second set of 31 inch barrels were ordered to fit and serial numbered 2301.

Literature

Don Masters, The House of Churchill, p. 85

Lot Essay

Masters notes that in over forty years of being connected with Churchill's he only encountered two Monte Carlo model hammer pigeon guns, one being the present gun that was in the possession of Major St. John Plevins. Plevins was a regular shot in live pigeon events at Monte Carlo until the sport was banned at the request of Princess Grace of Monaco.

The cost of a Monte Carlo hammergun in 1914 was 50 gns, rising to 90 gns by 1920. Following the banning of live pigeon shooting in the United Kingdom the cost of a Monte Carlo hammergun was reduced and then omitted from Churchill's sales catalogues.

Please note that this gun is a Section 2 shotgun.

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