"The best gun owes most of its quality to hidden excellence. Fine engraving, which is innocently believed to be its one distinguishing quality, is but a minor item from a cost point of view. The major items are difficult to explain to those who have not experienced their benefits. Alternative grades are much like the best as they can be, made at the price; But a moment's consideration will make it clear the devotion of unlimited attention to detail by the best class of workman must make differences in functioning quality."
These were the words of Robert Churchill in the introduction to the 1922 E.J. Churchill catalogue.
In 1891 Edwin John Churchill established one of the most competitive and outstanding gunmakers of all time. Founding its initial success on the live pigeon shooting circuit, the reputation of the company was based firmly on the fine balance, exacting fit and superlative finish of its guns and ultimately how they performed in the field.
The finest of all these guns was the 'Premiere' which exhibited all of the qualities expected of the highest grade English sporting gun – style, grace, balance, durability and innovation. These qualities were no more obvious than in the manufacture of the pinless sidelock, which provided a firing mechanism impervious to the weather, whilst also allowing the engraver an uninterupted surface to indulge his art.
Today, E.J. Churchill Gunmakers still upholds these qualities throughout its range of the very best hand built guns and rifles.
We would be delighted to build one for you.
