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LOT 1554
Rare Lancaster 20 Gauge Rotary Underlever Four-Barrel Hammerless
Shotgun - Serial no. 5159, 20 gauge, 28 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These four barrel shotguns evoke a wonderful reaction from nearly everyone in the collecting field, as they hearken back to the days
when more fire power simply meant that the gun needed more
barrels. Lancaster was famous for this design and employed it in
shotguns like this one, a scant amount of rifles, and large bore
pistols which were popular amongst military officers and the hunters of Africa and India. This gun was built in 1882 per the information given on pages 120-121 of Nigel Brown’s “British Gunmakers Volume One: London” which also states that this is one of just 69 total four barrel rifles and
shotguns completed. The gun is built with four Damascus steel barrels in a “square” configuration featuring
a single nickel bead sight on the smooth top rib which is marked “CHARLES LANCASTER. 151 NEW BOND
STREET. LONDON. PATENT FOUR BARREL BREECHLOADING HAMMERLESS GUN.” The barrels all show original London proof marks with later
London reproof marks which list the chambers at 2 1/2 inches and a single extractor. The casehardened Jones underlever action displays light dot border engraving and is marked “CHARLES LANCASTER’S. PATENT./LONDON.” on both sides. The standing breech is marked with with a single dot on the upper
left firing pin, two on the upper right, three on the lower right, and four on the lower left indicating the firing order of the barrels. The gun features a tang
mounted safety switch and a pair of triggers with the rear acting as the cocking piece while rotating the internal striker to the next barrel much like cocking
the hammer on a revolver and the front trigger actually fires the striker, though also like a double action revolver the front trigger can be pulled all the way to
complete both actions. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings and straight grip stock with silver inscription oval and an orange rubber
recoil pad. Barrel and stock measurement (in firing order): bores nine inches from the breech measured at .619/.620/.620/.619 inches; choke constriction .005/.007/.006/.005 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/16 inch drop at heel; 15 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 10 oz.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining most of the old period reapplied brown finish to the Damascus barrels which show attractive patterning, smooth grey patina on the action, a small ding on the upper left barrel and rib, some flattening of the rubber recoil pad, and sharp checkering on the revarnished stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss out on this chance to own this unique piece of firearms technology!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1886 per the data provided on page 126 of Nigel Brown’s “British Gunmakers Volume One: London”. Single bead sight on the smooth concave solid rib which is marked “J. PURDEY & SONS, AUDLEY HOUSE, SOUTH AUDLEY
STREET, LONDON, MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH’S
FLUID-PRESS STEEL” along with a flourish of scroll at the breech end and the number “2”. The flats remnants of the original proof marks as well as later London nitro reproof marks including the 2 1/2 inch chambers which share a single extractor. The coin finished self-opening sidelock
action displays classic, beautifully executed Purdey bouquet and scroll engraving with “J. PURDEY & SONS.” signed on either lockplate. The triggerguard and toplever show more of the same fine engraving and have
been polished bright to match the action. The gun features bushed firing pins, double triggers, and a tang mounted
automatic safety switch with gold inlaid “SAFE” marking. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings, including the Anson button release, and straight grip
stock with teardrop carved flats, “CKO” marked in the silver inscription oval, and checkered wood buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech
both proved “12” (.729 inches) and measured .738/.739 inches; choke constriction .014/.021 inches; minimum wall thickness .022/.020 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 3/8 inch drop at heel;
14 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs 10 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine overall as professionally refurbished, retaining 98% blue and coin finishes with some softening of the barrel markings, light engraving on the toplever and triggerguard, minor handling evidence, and sharp recut checkering on the wood. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 1555
Factory Engraved James Purdey & Sons Self-Opening Sidelock Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 12.340, 12 gauge, 30 inch solid rib bbl., blue/coin finish,
392 Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000