Paul,
Thats good to know for future reference.
Brent,
I think I can answer that because before I bought the Churchill I did extensive research (homework) to the extent that my eyes hurt! According to the literature (The house of Churchill, Hadokes book, the Blue Book of gun values) My gun is an early prewar #1867 and best quality boxlock. At the time Churchill only made a hammer and hammerless sidelock as well a one boxlock. The call for best quality is evidenced by the Churchill monogram on the bottom of the receiver and done prior to the grading of the guns after Edwin's death in 1910, which was only put on his best work. My gun so marked is the precurser to the Hurcules, considered the best there after. Prewar guns also have a square forend diamond opposed to the later elongated one.
I believe the feather weight designation came post WW1, also the third fastener was dropped. The gun at Hill Rod and Gun I believe represents something near the Hercules quality. Market is usually $9,000 for one in 98% condition.
Although done as nicely as I've seen, I think that $5,500 is on the high side since it has the 25" barrels instead of at least 26" ones. A better decription of the gun would have helped also. In spite of the 25" barrels, those barrel walls have to be very thin to make the 5lbs. 5oz. weight. Mine is 5lbs. 12oz. and light enough for my long walks.
Hope this helps without being overly long.
Karl
Last edited by Karl Graebner; 04/04/18 04:30 PM.
