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LOT 1345
Desirable Early Charles Lancaster Oval Bore Four Barrel Pistol
in .455 Centerfire - Serial no. 5, 455 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. The top flute of the barrel cluster is signed “CHARLES LANCASTER PATENT. 151. NEW BOND STREET. 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
LOT 1347
Interesting German Proofed Pintle
Mounted 20-Shot Top Break Double Action
Revolver - Serial no. 238, 12 mm cal., 12 3/4 inch round bbl.. The
revolver is completely devoid of markings apart from two faint “crown/U”
German proofs on the right side of the barrel and frame, and the number “238” or “38” on various parts. Very little seems to
be known about these curious revolvers and they appear quite scarce. An advertisement for a similar revolver was found in the 1927 issue of Bannerman’s catalogue that only states that it was found in an old shop in Paris and that it was rare. While another similar example previously sold was identified as a German “trench revolver”. Due to its unwieldy nature, it does appear that it was intended to be mounted in a pintle mount similar to the one included and likely fired remotely in double action only using string or wire in combination with the large ring trigger. It is the writers opinion that this revolver was intended to be fired remotely from a fixed position, likely in defense of a choke point or as a trap by attaching a line. Some similar revolvers have been attributed to Chaineux or LeFaucheux. It gauges at approximately 12 mm and the chambers of the 20-shot cylinder are approximately 7/8 of an inch long. Includes a wooden base and pintle mount.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly a brown-grey patina overall with some scattered mild pitting. Mechanically fine. The wooden base and mount is fine with some scattered minor handling/storage marks. A mysterious and interesting piece that is unlikely to be found in many collections!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1348
Serial Number 1 Webley
Bulldog Style Double Action Revolver
Featured in “Guns of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum” - Serial no. 1, 450
cal., 2 3/8 inch flat top round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This revolver is featured in “Guns of the NRA
National Sporting Arms Museum” on page 201 where the “significance of the serial number is unknown” is noted.
The barrel, arbor pin, cylinder, frame, loading gate, and grips have “1.” The back of the cylinder has “450.” The
only other markings are Birmingham proofs on the barrel and
cylinder. The barrel has a brass blade front sight, and the top strop has a groove rear sight. Includes a Supica collection tag and “LOAN/to/NRA” tag.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish, some
minor flaking mainly on the back strap, gray and brown patina on the flaked areas, and minor
handling and storage marks. The grips are also very fine and have crisp checkering and minor
handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 900 - 1,500 277
is stamped “CHARLES LANCASTER PATENT” in a circle. A later “PP7” marking is on the back strap. The trigger guard does not have the usual serial number marking. Instead, only the factory assembly number “5” is stamped on the bottom right of the barrel, frame, and some internal components suggesting this may be a very early example born out by the locking catch being of the earliest type, perhaps a factory working prototype. The butt is of bird’s head type with smooth walnut grips, a lanyard ring is present at the bottom of the gripstrap.
CONDITION: Very good with 20% of the original blue finish and otherwise smooth gray and brown patina, some minor pitting, and moderate overall wear. The slightly undersized grips are also good and have mild dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
LOT 1346
Serial Number 1 Westley Richards
Royal Irish Constabulary Pattern Double
Action Revolver Featured in “Guns of the NRA
National Sporting Arms Museum” - Serial no. 1,
450 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
This revolver is featured in “Guns of the NRA National
Sporting Arms Museum” on page 201 where it is listed
as “Westley Richards RIC Revolver, Serial Number 1, .450
cf. ca. 1870s. ‘Royal Irish Constabulary’ pattern revolver;
maker & significance of serial number unknown. British proofed.” The
revolver has a rounded blade front sight, “WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO” retailer mark on top of the barrel, “C/450” on the left at the breech, notch rear sight, Birmingham proofs, “8” and “1” on the face of the cylinder, “1” on the loading gate, “8” on the rear cylinder shield, and “1” on the left side of the front grip strap under the grip. Supica collection and “LOAN/to/NRA” tags accompany the revolver. This revolver
was on display at the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum in 2013-2022
and was featured on the “Serial Number One Guns” episode of Outdoor
Channel’s “Gun Stories,” season 4 ep. 16.
CONDITION: Very fine with 70% plus original bright high polish blue finish,
some flaking with smooth brown patina, silver-gray patina on some of
the small parts, and generally minor age and storage related wear. The
grip is also very fine and had crisp checkering and minor handling wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 1,000 - 1,800
SERIAL NUMBER 1
SERIAL NUMBER 1