In House Shipping:
Make: Masters (from Churchill) Gunmakers Ltd.
Model: Boxlock Best Gun
Serial Number: 004
Year of Manufacture: Proofed 1985, sold November 1986
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 3/4” shells
Action Type: Side by Side, Double Trigger Shotgun with Single Non-Selective Trigger (right barrel first) and Ejectors
Barrel Length: 28"
Choke: The left barrel is choked Improved Modified, the right Modified, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead set into the front of the solid rib. The rib is serrated for glare reduction.
Weight: 5 lb., 9.2 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with splinter forend, straight grip, straight comb, checkered bare butt, and an initial plate inlaid to the belly inscribed "LBD" (original owner's initials). The forend has an inlaid steel tip with A&D release. The stocks have some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and small scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The stock is cast off. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2", drop at heel 1 3/8". The LOP measures 14 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt. The butt has very little in the way of wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match.
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 10/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered minor nicks and small scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The action locks up with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a Masters (from Churchill) luggage case with straps, also marked with "LBD" initials, with original sales invoice, cleaning rods, a set of replacement mainsprings, oiler and two snap-caps. Also included is a provenance letter from the previous owner detailing his purchase, ownership, and hunting use of the gun from 1986 to 1998.
Our Assessment: From the end of the 19th Century, E.J. Churchill, frequently referred to only as "Churchill's", made some of the finest English Best Guns. In 1910, Edwin "Ted" John Churchill died and passed the company along to his nephew Robert Churchill. Robert would pioneer slim, trim, and short double guns, easy to carry, quick to mount and fire. Robert would pass in 1958 with the overall English double gun market in the doldrums, hounded by cheaper Spanish best guns and post-WWII economic downturn. The company assets were sold at auction by Christie's in Dallas in 1981.
Among those who purchased assets from the company was Churchill's Production Director, Don Masters. In addition to writing a wonderful book about the history of the company, Don Masters was able to secure a number of actions and parts, going on to produce his own custom-grade double guns. This example is a wonderful tribute to both the design philosophy of Robert Churchill as well as the quality work put out by Masters (from Churchill).
A 20-bore boxlock, the gun comes in just over five and one half pounds with 28" barrels choked Improved Modified and Modified. It has select walnut stocks, made to measurements supplied by its original purchaser, Louis B. Decolator. In addition to supplying the stock measurements, Mr. Decolator requested a woodcock scene from a Ned Smith lithograph, signed "JR Beech", found on the trigger plate. The receiver displays beautiful English rose-and-scroll engraving with the included case and stock initial-plate both marked "LBD". A letter is included from Mr. Decolator detailing his many hunting experiences with this gun, including the (hopefully named in jest) "Secret Dove Club" in Dorchester County, MD.
This beautiful double gun is in Fine-plus condition, showing shockingly little wear given its previous use in the field. It will make a fine gun for quail, woodcock, and dove for the lucky winner, but would also make an uncommon and beautiful addition to a collection of European sporting guns. Please see our photos and good luck!