November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2021
Circa 1884. A scarce and rare 16 bore. Charles Lancaster known for thinking out of the box and for making top quality barrels and firearms - shotguns, rifles, and handguns designed this striking smoothbore shotgun. The gun's 26" blued steel barrels are designated with 2 - 3/4" chambers, extractors, and with smooth concave ribs. Top rib reads engraved “Charles Lancaster 151 New Bond Street, London.” and “Patent Four Barrel Breech Loading Hammerless Gun". Top rib is fit with doll's head extension and a thin bladed foresight. Left and right side of barrels read with London blackpowder proofs, "(Crown) / GP", "16", "(Crown) / V", "(Lion) / G". Bottoms of barrels are stamped "CL" and with serial number "5276". All 4 choked Cylinder. As can be imagined regulation of 4 barrels must have been quite a task as can be seen with the use of 4 muzzles wedges. The bright and frosted round frame action with Jones underlever screw grip has one large trigger to cock and rotate firing mechanism with the smaller checkered blade trigger used for firing. Safety is designed as a small inverted engraved, checkered top lever which slides left to right. The word "SAFE" is beneath the safe lever. The beautiful chiseled scroll engraving is sharp and encompasses the action, fences, trigger guard, top tang, and lever. Both sides of action body engraved "CHARLES LANCASTER'S PATENT LONDON". Front trigger and under lever grip are both checkered. Trigger guard under lever is engraved with gun's serial number "5276". Water table is scooped and bares London proof markings and guns serial number. Clean breech face with dot marked ".","..","..." and "...." disk set strikers is stamped at center with "CHARLES LANCASTER PATENT". Most likely patent number 2. The reddish-brown walnut stock with strongly patterned grain is fitted with sharp 2-panel checkered round knob grip and sling loop is finished by a 3/4 diamond point checkered butt. Splinter forend with matched checkering and matched engraved escutcheon and exterior rear iron metal. The gun lives in a leather case with green cloth interior. CONDITION: Excellent. Barrels with 95% original blue and bright bores. Action is sound. Trigger is crisp. Stock and forend are near mint. Case fair with detached handle, usage wear, and storage marks. Interesting and fun piece. CP
Barrel Wall Thickness
Over - L:.0025" x R:.029" Under - L:.029" x R:.029"
Internal Bore Diameter
Over - L:.684" x R:.678" Under - L:.675" x R:.676"
Manufacturer
Charles Lancaster
Paperwork
Copy of American Rifleman, dated 8/76