I go along with Researcher that it was a clever marketing ploy. Whether it "works" for some people is an entirely different matter . . . but it was a means of selling guns, pure and simple.
Stop and think about what was happening to the British gun trade in the 20's, when Churchill brought out the XXV. As a result of WWI, the clientele for fine guns had been reduced considerably. And it's also very likely that the second hand market was flooded with 12's with 28" and 30" barrels. An entire generation of British manhood didn't come home from France, and the upper classes--the customer base for fine guns--were particularly hard hit. Would-be grandfathers without sons and grandsons to whom to pass on their guns. New guns like the ones on the second hand market would've been a tough sell, so gunmakers needed a gimmick: Churchill's XXV, the 2" 12, Lang's 12/20.
The gun was also a particularly good fit for Mr. Churchill himself, who was quite short and stout. Put such a gun in the hands of someone taller and slimmer, and you may not have such a good fit.
Last edited by L. Brown; 07/10/07 10:20 AM.
