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LOT 3354
Historic Charles Lancaster Four Barrel Thorn Patent Pistol in .476 Centerfire Documented to British Officer and Sportsman Lieutenant
Colonel Charles Eccles Nixon Priestley
- Serial no. 8027, 476 CF cal., 6 1/4 inch fluted bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Many British officers assigned to
Africa and India chose Lancasters as their personal sidearms, but the total production of these pistols is estimated at just
712 further subdivided into smaller volumes in the various calibers. These powerful multi-shot pistols were also popular among the explorers, hunters, and adventurers who wanted more stopping power when facing man and beast in various corners of the British Empire. Included consignor research, including a copy of the factory ledger listing the serial number of the pistol, indicates that this particular pistol was purchased in November 1887 by lieutenant Charles Eccles Nixon Priestley of the Welsh Regiment, who later held various ranks in the army of the British Raj, ending as lieutenant colonel
in the 42nd Deoli Regiment. In Priestley’s 1931 obituary, he is noted taking an officer’s commission at around 18 years old, serving in Egypt, Australia, and India, as well as in the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force in World War I. He is also noted as a celebrated big game hunter
and angler, all pursuits in which he would have valued this powerful sidearm. The top flute of the barrel cluster is signed “CHARLES
LANCASTER (PATENT) 151. NEW BOND ST. LONDON.”and has a blade front sight, and the left flute is marked“455 CF.”There are Birmingham proofs on the barrels and frame. The breech face is stamped “CHARLES LANCASTER PATENT” in a circle. The serial number is marked on the trigger guard. The assembly number “84” is on some components. The butt is of bird’s head type with checkered walnut grips, a lanyard ring is present at the bottom of the grip strap. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% of the period refurbished blue finish with a few scattered patches of light pitting and clear markings overall. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A desirable Lancaster four-barrel pistol documented to the British officer that carried it on his worldly adventures! Estimate: 8,500 - 11,000
LOT 3355
Scarce Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver - Serial no. 2211, 455 cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in limited quantity (approximately 4,000 total, all variations), the Webley-Fosbery was meant as a counter-point
to the early semi-automatic pistols then emerging on the market, providing the large-bore firepower and relative mechanical simplicity of a revolver with the smooth single-action operation of an automatic. While mechanically novel, the tide of history was on the side of the semi-autos, with Browning’s designs in particular able to scratch the firepower itch. Patridge blade front sight and drift adjustable raised notch rear sight. Matching numbers on the barrel, cylinder and frame, “P. WEBLEY & SON. LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM.” on top of the rib, “WEBLEY-FOSBERY” on the left side of the top strap, the “flying bullet” trademark ahead of “455 CORDITE” on the left side of the frame, and “SAFE” in raised lettering on the left grip. Fitted with a lanyard ring.
CONDITION: Fine, with 80% plus arsenal refurbished blue, showing patches of pitting on the barrel, mixed brown patina on the grip frame, bright edge wear, scattered spotting and mild handling marks. The replacement grips are very good, slightly ill-fitting around the butt with mild dents and scuffs. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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