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Edwin John Churchill was apprenticed at William Jeffery of Dorchester before moving to London to work for F.T. Baker. He established his own business on Agar Street in 1891, making his reputation building pigeon guns. A crack shot, he was a superb gunfitter and his guns were popular among the professional shooting fraternity. Churchill's fortunes began declining as pigeon shooting fell out of popularity in the early 20th century. He fell into depression after the death of his son in 1902, and died in 1910. His nephew Robert raised capital and rescued the firm after Edwin's death and guided Churchill through WWII before incorporating the firm as E.J. Churchill (Gunmakers) Ltd. in 1917. Prior to WWI, Robert Churchill and general manager Jim Chewter began experimenting with short barreled guns, culminating in the early 1920s with the 'XXV' concept. Churchill declared longer barrels obsolete and began making fast-handling guns with 25 in. barrels - resulting in improved shooting. Churchill's claims resulted in tremendous publicity and by 1925, demand for the XXV outpaced the firm's ability to build them. Many gunmakers tried to copy Churchill's style, and he wrote several books on shooting before his death in 1958.
During 1959, the firm was purchased and the name changed to Churchill (Gunmakers) ltd. and in 1964, the company acquired Atkin, Grant, & Lang. In 1971, the two firms were combined into Churchill, Atkin, Grant & Lang, Ltd. The firm suffered during the crippling inflation and spiralling costs, and by 1980, Churchill ceased operations. The remaining inventory was auctioned off in 1981.
Don Master, Churchill's former production manager, registered the name E.J. Churchill (Gunmakers) Ltd. in 1984. In 1996, West Wycombe Shooting Grounds Ltd. obtained rights to the Churchill Gunmakers name and began efforts to revive it. In addition to quality longarms, the company now offers a fine gun room, sporting agency, shooting school and a complete lineup of quality trademark clothing and accessories.
Information courtesy of David Grant and Vic Venters.