GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
FINE HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE BY CHARLES LANCASTER WITH CASE. CHAS. LANCASTER SXS DBL RIFLE 5415 450/400 2-3/8 BPE (1884) Cal. 450/400 2-3/8" BPE. This fine "best" quality rifle in an easily loaded caliber, has 28" steel bbls fitted with full length matted rib, with dolls head extension holding one standing leaf express rear, and silver bead front, sights. Tops of bbls are engraved "Charles Lancaster. 151 New Bond Street, London." and "Non-Fowling Smooth Oval Bore Rifling". "1" is inlaid in silver on top rib, engraved at rear of trigger guard and on forend iron. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with London black powder proofs, "CL", and SNs. It is interesting to note the ribs are made of Damascus steel. Round bodied, Jones underlever action is fitted with peninsula back action non-rebounding locks with short round bodied serpentine hammers. Locks are fitted with back sliding safeties, and engage at half cock. Action and locks are engraved with 85% coverage well cut shaded scroll. "Charles Lancaster, London" is on both sides of the action, and lockplates are engraved "C. Lancaster London Patent". Steel trigger guard has SN on bow, and nicely checkered tang. Attractive, finely veined, and beautifully figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over checkered steel buttplate with short top spur. Stock features a nicely detailed double shadow line right hand cheekpiece with ogee transition between lines. Typical flat top checkering is at grip. A small silver oval and a large sling loop are on toe line. Matching splinter forend has steel tip and spring roller release. Drop at heel: approx 2-5/8", drop at comb: approx 1-1/8". Weight: 8 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". What is most likely orig oak and leather case has central rectangle on top engraved "FRANCIS H. DIAMENT." "WAYNE, PA." Interior is lined in green cloth which has some interesting embossed line decoration, and contains high quality 3-pc brass cleaning rod, ebony handled turnscrew by Hawksley, striker key, large cylindrical celluloid striker bottle (?) marked Hawksley, some cleaning brushes, and an empty box for Kynoch 450/400 EX cartridges. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 85 - 90% orig blue. Action and lockplates retain 80 - 85% orig case hardening color, silvered and browning on bottom of action and on lockplate tails. Stocks retain most of their orig hand rubbed oil finish with numerous marks, both light and heavy. Overall this neat little rifle presents itself quite well. Bores are excellent, with just a hint of frosting. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Safeties work. Case leather is fine, darkening somewhat overall, with dark splotches on edges and scattered. One strap is missing, the other strap is a replacement, and fine. Orig handle is good but tender. Interior cloth is fine, with light marks and rubs, along with some soiling. One partition in bbl channel is loose. Accessories are fine. 50496-3 mgm29 (6,000-10,000)