GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
FINE HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE BY CHARLES LANCASTER WITH ORIGINAL TWO TIERED OAK AND LEATHER CASE WITH SOME ACCESSORIES.C. LANCASTERSxS RIFLE5657450/400 3 1/4 BPE(1887) Cal. 450/ 400 3-1/4 BPE. This well preserved rifle has 28" dovetailed steel bbls engraved "Charles Lancaster 151 New Bond St. London. Breech Loading Rifle" and "Non - Fowling Smooth Oval Bore Rifling" either side of full length matted rib with dolls head extension mounted with single standing express rear and silver bead front sights. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with London black powder proofs and SNs. Round bodied Jones underlever action is fitted with back action non-rebounding locks with short round bodied serpentine hammers with dolphin heads. Locks also have front sliding stalking safeties. Action and locks are engraved with 70 - 80% coverage very well cut varying sized shaded scroll. "Charles Lancaster London" is on each side of action and "C. LANCASTER LONDON PATENT" is in scrolled device on each lockplate. Nicely marbled and stump figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/4" over checkered steel buttplate, and features right hand double shadow line cheekpiece, widely spaced flat top checkering at grip, and a silver oval engraved with winged helm under a six-pointed star, on toe line. Matching splinter forend with steel tip has roller spring tension release. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/4", drop at comb: approx 1-9/16". Neutral cast. Weight: 8 lbs. 7 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Rifle is housed in its orig oak and leather case with lift out top tray for accessories. Case is fitted with brass corners and has initials "C. E. J." embossed on top. Interior is lined in green cloth and large Lancaster label along with instructions and charge label for this particular rifle, are in lid. Bottom compartment contains brass mold by Hawksley casting a .410 bullet, stamped with this guns SN, as well as a Hawksley .500 capper/ decapper, round pewter oil bottle, horn handled turnscrew, ebony handled powder measure, and 3-pc brass cleaning rod. Removable top tier contains a striker key, tin of primers, two empty powder cans (one oval), well made leather cartridge pouch, steel sprue cutter by James Dixon, and a hand reloading die and base stamped with this guns SN and marked "Charles Lancaster London". Also included are a number of loose loaded early Kynoch cartridges, and a box of Kynoch NitroExpress cartridges with yellow label. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain approx 90% orig blue, some thinning, light scuffs and scattered oxidation. Action and locks retain 85 - 90% of their orig case hardening color, silvering on sharp edges and tails of locks. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig hand rubbed oil finish, with numerous light marks, possibly with some oil rubbed in over the years as maintenance. Bores are excellent with a hint of frosting. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Case leather has considerably darkened, appears to have been conserved with shellac, and has a red diagonal stripe painted across top with numerous rubs, bumps, and scratches. New straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is fine, with some compressions and soiling. Labels are considerably foxed, and have some rubs through and chips. Accessories are generally good to fine. 51760-1 MGM91 (7,500-12,500)