Rifle
Charles Lancaster Gunmakers Ltd
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1900
Materials
Wood
Measurements
1060 mm (Length)120 mm (H)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Felbrigg, Norfolk
NT 1395730
Summary
Breech-loading “rook” or garden gun, c1900, by Charles Lancaster, London (1820 – 1878).
Full description
Breech-loading “rook” or garden gun by Charles Lancaster, London (1820 – 1878). The serial number indicates that it was made in 1900. The Company were in business from 1811 until 1982 making high quality sporting guns of all types. Charles Lancaster patented his “oval bore” riling in 1850, which was to greatly improve the non-fouling capabilities of rifling in both military and sporting firearms. Round rifled barrel with flattened top, the breech of octagonal form. Inscribed on the breech flats; Charles Lancaster, 151 New Bond St., London (left side) and, Non Fowling Smooth Oval Bore Rifling (right side). Blade foresight and folding 2-leaf rear sight. The barrel hinged to the action and tips-down for loading. Barrel length 67cm. Calibre .250 inch centre-fire. Wooden butt with chequered wrist and separate chequered forestock. The butt of the stock carved with a ribbed heel. Steel action, the frame inscribed on the left side .250 CF. Rebounding safety hammer. Lower frame tang engraved with the Serial No. 8433. Steel trigger guard which is encompassed by a barrel release lever. This is pushed downward to open the action and a cartridge ejector automatically extracts the spent cartridge case. Overall length: 106.7cm.
Provenance
Part of the Windham Collection. The hall and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1969 by Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1906-1969)
Marks and inscriptions
Barrel breech flats: Charles Lancaster, 151 New Bond St., London (left side) Non Fowling Smooth Oval Bore Rifling (right side) Action: Inscribed on the left side .250 CF Lower frame tang engraved with the Serial No. 8433
Makers and roles
Charles Lancaster Gunmakers Ltd, gunsmith
References
Blackmore, 1986: Howard Blackmore: A Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850