October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
This truly superb pair of rifles, built and finished by London's best, for a very particular client, are listed in long time rifle maker, Charles Lancaster records. Barrels and actions are by Boss out-workers, and rifles are finished by David Simmerton. The impeccable engraving is by Martin Bublik. 24" Demi-bloc barrels are fitted with H&H style quarter ribs holding one standing, one folding leaf express rear sights marked for 50 and 100 yards, as well as H&H style detachable scope bases. Matching front ramps hold gold beads. Tops of barrels are engraved "Charles Lancaster. London, England." Barrel flats are stamped with 1997 and 2009 London nitro proofs for .375 flanged. Rifles are built as a true pair with the numbers "1" and "2" stamped on bottoms of bottom barrels, and inlaid in gold on rib extensions, top levers, and forend tips. Sling loops are soldered to bottom barrels. Case hardened Boss type OU sidelock actions with pivoting trunions also feature long top tangs which extend over combs in H&H style, non-automatic safeties (SAFE inlaid in gold), hidden rising bite third fasteners as used by Boss on heavy proof guns, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers (fronts articulated). Actions and lockplates are engraved in near full coverage classic British style rose and scroll. "C. Lancaster" is on folded riband at bottom center of each lockplate. Bottoms of actions are engraved "Charles Lancaster" "London - England". Double beaded trigger guards have scroll on bow and serial numbers inlaid in gold on tangs which extend to matching steel trap grip caps. The execution of this minuscule shaded scroll engraving and fine rose bouquets is exceptional. Engravers signature (M Bublik) is on left sides of trigger plates. Almost perfectly matched intricately marbled and stump figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstocks measure 14 - 7/8" over dark brown leather pads. Stocks also feature classic tear drop points, closely spaced point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grips, and sling loops matching those on barrels on toe lines. Matching slim forends with Boss style ejectors have Anson releases. Rifles are accompanied by their Schmidt & Bender 1 - 1/4 - 4 X Variable power scopes with three post and small central crosshair reticles in Holland & Holland type rings. Rear rings are stamped "1" and "2" on bottoms. Tops are engraved to match rifles. Rifle no. 1 weighs 9 lbs 9 oz without scope. Drop at comb: approximately 1 - 9/16", Drop at heel: approximately 2". Neutral cast. Rifle "2": Weighs 9 lbs 9 oz, Drop at heel: approx. 2-1/4". Drop at comb: approx 1-5/8". CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new with scant evidence of firing, and only a few of the lightest handling and assembly marks on all wood and metal surfaces. Bores are excellent. Mechanically excellent except rifle "1" has live ejector on "over" barrel. A stunning pair of rifles, in a fine classic African caliber suitable for almost anything up to elephant. MGM 95
Caliber/Bore
.375 H&H Flanged Magnum
Manufacturer
Charles Lancaster
Serial Number
14641 & 14642