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.

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!