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LOT 1537
Very Rare Engraved Lancaster 20 Bore Rotary Underlever Thorn Patent Four-Barrel Hammerless
Shotgun - Serial no. 5050, 20 gauge, 26 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The maker’s records confirm that this shotgun was completed in 1881 for the Maharaja of Burdwan. This would be Maharaja Aftab Chand Mahtab who ruled from 1879 to his untimely death in 1885. The upper barrel rib has a bead front sight and is signed
“CHARLES LANCASTER 151 NEW BOND STREET LONDON. PATENT FOUR BARREL BREECH LOADING HAMMERLESS GUN.” The bottom of the barrels have “5050 CL.” Faint London proof marks are visible by the “20” bore markings on the sides of the barrels. The water table has the serial number and London view marks, and the breech face has one dot by the upper left firing pin, two by the upper right, three by the
lower right, and four by the lower left indicating the firing sequence and “CHARLES LANCASTER PATENT” in a circle at the center. The upper tang has a gold inlaid “SAFE” marking. The sides of the casehardened
action are each signed “CHARLES LANCASTER’S PATENT/LONDON.” The serial number is repeated on
the casehardened trigger guard bow. There is some light border engraving throughout. The forearm, stock wrist, and bare butt are all checkered. Barrel and stock measurement (in firing order): chambers measured at 2 3⁄4 inches; bores 9 inches from the breech measured at .617/.621/.617/.617 inches; choke constriction .003/.007/.002/.003 inches; minimum wall thickness .022/.016/.017/.021 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 1/8 inch drop at heel; 15 1/8 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 10 oz.
CONDITION: Very good as professionally restored
with 98% blue and casehardened finish, some small patches of pitting visible under the blue, and minor
overall wear. The professionally replaced stock has crisp checkering, smooth oil finish, and attractive figure. The sequential action and single trigger are recoil operated and has not been tested with live ammunition. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000