This small gauge English shotgun was manufactured in circa 1927 during the so-called "Golden Age" of British gunmaking. The blued barrels are each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end, and the narrow concave rib is signed “E.J. CHURCHILL, GUNMAKERS LTD. 3 AGAR STREET. STRAND. LONDON W.C.2.” and is fitted with a bead front sight. Import marked under the forearm. The casehardened action is signed “E.J. CHURCHILL” on each side and has a blued toplever, an automatic safety with silver inlaid “SAFE”, a blued cover plate, a blued trigger guard, and fine scrollwork engraved throughout. The figured straight hand stock has a checkered butt, grip and forearm; a blued Anson push button release on the forearm, and a blank silver oval initial escutcheon on the underside of the butt. It comes in a fitted leather case lined in red baize with some cleaning rod heads and a chamber brush. Birmingham nitro reproof marks. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): chambers proved at 2 1/2 inches; bore diameter 9 inches from the breech reproved at .626/.615 inches and measured at .630/.623 inches; choke constriction .009/.031 inches; minimum wall thickness .021/.024; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 inch drop at heel; 14 15/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 5 lbs 6 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Very good. The barrels retain near all of the reblued finish and have a softened rib signature. The right barrel has worn proof marks. The action retains 60% faded original casehardened finish and has crisp engraving. The toplever, cover plate, and trigger guard each retain near all of the reblued finish and some softening to engraving. It has been expertly restocked, and the wood has crisp checkering and only occasional minor storage and handling blemishes. Mechanically excellent. The restored case is very good has a pleasing dark aged patina, the ends of the case restored with replacement dark leather, replacement straps, and relined interior.