doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 1920's Churchill Boxlock

Another unique feature of the between the war Churchill XXVs, is the Churchill tapered rib. When you shoulder one of these beautiful guns, the tapered rib gives the illusion of longer barrels.

Nonetheless, I find the short barrels a little too easy to stop given the fact that most everything else I shoot is 30 or 32". I have been able to ameliorate that somewhat by using a weighted leather barrel guard.

Due to short barrels being out of fashion these guns, both boxlocks and sidelocks, sell at a significant discount given the quality of the workmanship.

Another "trick" in dealing with a gun with low (for the individual shooter) swing effort is to slide the front hand several inches further forward. This causes the shooter to make a considerably longer/larger body movement for the same amount of change in gun direction of point. Doesn't work for all as some shooters are really "ouchy" about having the front hand exactly so-so relative to the back hand.

DDA

Adding weight just under the muzzles can also help.It does
not have to look ugly.
Can be attached to under rib and contoured to rear.

Bob set the fashion for 25" barrelled guns with the "patent quick sighting rib" and no doubt much to his annoyance, other makers cashed in with cheaper knock offs.

I have a 25" Stensby boxlock ejector complete with appropriate rib, made in 1935 originally for a Captain Bennett. I rescued it as a widows gun some 25 years ago, a bit uncared for, but basically sound, in it's makers case. Although Stensby were a Manchester firm, Wisemans reckon it was one of theirs made in Brum and rebadged. He paid 23 Guineas for it. At 6 lbs and a couple of ounces your gun mount needs to be pretty good to avoid punishment. Anything heavier than Grand Prix and you know all about it.

The case had British Army shipping marks, and the story was that the good Capt. and his gun went out to Burma to fight the Japanese, but only the gun came home.

There was a time I could shoot it quite nicely, using something very like the Churchill method which relies on perfect timing; decrepitude has put an end to all that. Can't hit a barn when standing inside it now.

Eug

Not a 1920's but a great little gun and I also use it for skeet on occasion. Have the original case . 12 gage Regal.

Do all XXV guns have that marking on the barrels?

If the question is are all Churchill's with 25 inch barrels marked XXV the answer is No.

Hi all, well, here's my Churchill XXV, it's the Premiere Grade (Smith Pinless Action) in 12b made in 1927. Weight is 5lbs 14oz and a joy to carry and shoot. I can shoot a short barreled gun without any problems, just don't over think the length deal





Best,

Greg

Mine do


Bob

Early Gun? Looks as if it could be a back action.
Churchills made some lovely guns. Depending on all
factors, condition ,proof etc they can be great
value. They sold a good many guns ,so, can be found.