The makers records confirm that this rifle was made for the Maharajah of Jodhpur, Raja Takht Singh, as one of a pair in 1865 and belongs to an extensive series of firearms made by Lancaster for Jodphur featuring distinctive gold washed locks and furniture. With browned damascus barrels respectively signed “CHARLES LANCASTER. 151. NEW BOND ST.T. LONDON.” and “PATENT SMOOTH BORE RIFLE”, and with matted raised rib with bead front sight and rear sight of three folding leaves each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated from “100” to “200” yards. Casehardened scroll engraved patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug, short inlaid platinum line and engraved with the number “2” on the rib section between. Finely scroll engraved gilt standing breech, locks and furniture including hinged patch box cover. The locks each signed “CHARLES LANCASTER LONDON” on ribbons and with blued safety catch and blued pins. The tang of the gilt checkered butt plate also numbered “2” and the trigger plate has a large pineapple finial and blued double triggers. The underside of the barrels struck with London proof marks and barrelsmith’s mark “CL” for Charles Lancaster. Finely figured semi-pistol grip half stock with raised cheekpiece, checkered grip and forearm, and blank silver initial escutcheon on the underside of the butt. With original brass mounted ramrod with worm. In original brass cornered oak case lined in dark blue velvet, the lid with large printed Charles Lancaster trade label with period hand annotated notes in Sanskrit, the exterior with the remaining of two further handwritten Sanskrit notes. With accessories including iron bullet mold numbered “3943.4” (one of the series of similar rifles also ordered by Raja Takht Singh), a Sykes “Extra Quality” leather covered powder flask, cap tins and various other accessories.

In fabulous condition retaining 95% original faded browned finish, 95% original casehardened finish to breeches, 95% + original gilt finish to the locks and mounts. Stock is in excellent condition, some age related surface crazing to the oil finish evident, small storage blemish to underside of butt. Case is in very good condition, some wear to lining, trade label with some staining. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Archie Walker Collection; The Malcolm King Collection.