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LOT 319
Cased Consecutive Pair of Engraved
Charles Lancaster Percussion Oval Bore
Double Rifles -A) Charles Lancaster
Percussion Double Rifle - Serial no. 2435,
50 cal., 29 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Per
a note in the case from Norman R.
Blank and an included certificate
of authenticity from F. Theodore
Dexter, this cased consecutive pair
was made for Sir Richard Sutton c.
1850-1853. Sir Richard Sutton, 2nd
Baronet, (1789-1855) was the Master
of the Quorn Hunt in 1847-1855
and purchased Quorn Hall in the
late 1840s. The Quorn Hunt is a pack
of foxhounds dating back to 1696
and continues today. “Sir Richard
Sutton and the Quorn Hounds”
by Francis Grant captures the scene well. His son Sir Richard Sutton, 4th
Baronet, (1821-1878) was an ensign in the 97th Regiment of Foot, lieutenant
in the 1st Regiment of Life Guards, deputy lieutenant for Nottinghamshire,
and a noted cricket player. He inherited the title from his brother John in
1873. The Damascus barrels feature Charles Lancaster’s distinctive oval bore
rifling, textured ribs with blade front sights and three-leaf rear
sights with gold sight lines (graduated for 100, 200, and 300
yards), the serial numbers along with London proof marks
and “CL” maker’s marks on the underside of the barrels
towards the breech and “CHARLES LANCASTER 151 NEW
BOND ST LONDON” and “PATENT” SMOOTH BORED
RIFLE” further ahead, and casehardened breeches
with pierced platinum plugs, small platinum bands,
engraved ribs, and matching serial numbers on the
hooks. The casehardened standing breeches have
small groove rear sights and fine scroll engraving. The
locks are signed “C. LANCASTER/London” and have
scroll engraving and sliding safeties ahead of the
hammers. The ramrod entry pipe and trigger plate
feature stylized pineapple finials. The trigger guard
bows are engraved with a scene of a lion, and the
serial numbers are on the rear tangs. The patchboxes
are engraved with stag scenes, and the heel tangs
are engraved with “1” and “2” respectively and have stag
scenes. The figured walnut half-stocks have the matching serial
numbers under the barrels, checkering on the forends and wrists,
pinned leather cheek pads, gold oval escutcheons and sling studs
on the undersides, and 14 inch lengths of pull. The pair comes
in a fitted two-tier oak case with a Charles Lancaster trade label
inside the lid and
a suite of loading
and maintenance
accessories,
including original
paper patching,
matching numbered
bullet molds, and a Sykes
leather-bound, bag-shaped powder flask.
CONDITION: Fine with 25% original brown finish remaining on the barrels,
fading to smooth gray and brown patina, visible twist patterns, strong original
blue and bright gold sight lines on the rear sight, 60% plus original case
colors, 50% original blue finish, minor oxidation, and mild overall wear. The
stock is very good and has crisp checkering, mild wear and an absent pin on
the cheek pad, dent at the toe, and light marks and scratches. Mechanically
excellent. The case and accessories are very good with primarily minor age
and storage related wear. B) Charles Lancaster Percussion Double Rifle
- Serial no. 2436, 50 cal., 29 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue
finish, walnut stock. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Fine with 40% original brown finish remaining on the barrels,
fading to smooth gray and brown patina, visible twist patterns, strong original
blue and bright gold sight lines on the rear sight, 70% plus original case
colors, original blue finish inside the trigger guard bow, minor oxidation, and
mild overall wear. The stock is very good and has crisp checkering, mild wear
on the cheek pad, and light marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Sir Richard Sutton; Martin B. Retting; The Norman R. Blank
Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 10,000
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