Oh boy. What a can of worms.
First off....not many actual guns were entirely made at Churchills. Many first class Birmingham makers supplied guns to Churchills. Some of the more well known makers for example would be...AA Brown, Wright, Webley & Scott, & Baker.
Many of these guns were ordered by Churchill and rough stocked ready for the customers specifications and then finished stocked by Churchills craftsman.
A few of the unique items found on most Churchill guns are flat fences, obviously the Churchill rib, unique scroll engraving, etc.
Premier is the top sidelock, Hercules is the top of the line boxlock. Any and all options were available....including long barrels, pairs, pigeon, self/assisted openers, etc.
Youre going have to judge each gun on its own merits. Some say that the W&S built Regals from the early 80s arent very good, I never felt that way personally. My 80s Dallas auction Regal was a great gun I currently own a early 70s rare Viscount XXV model that was considered a low grade hunting gun at the time. Its well engraved, sports really nice wood, its very well balanced and it weighs 5 lbs 13 Oz, its a 12 bore too. Its extremely fast....but its also well balanced and easy to shoot well.
Churchill XXVs in whatever grade should balance a tad bit in front of the hinge pin to give the impression or illusion of swinging longer barrels. Most Spanish copies, specifically ones made by AyA are not well balanced and they can be butt heavy and whippy. Ive never had a Spanish version of a XXV feel anything like a Churchill.
Good luck in your search.
