The maker’s records confirm that this extremely rare four barreled rifle was made for the Prince of Indore in 1886. The senior prince at this time was Shivaji Rao Holkar (born 1828, reigned as Maharaja from June 1886 until January 1903), eldest son of Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II. With blacked barrel group respectively signed on the upper barrels and upper concave rib “CHARLES LANCASTER. 151. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON”, “PATENT FOUR BARREL BREECH LOADING HAMMERLESS SMOOTH BORE RIFLE” and “BARRLES (sic) MADE OF SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTHS FLUID PRESSED STEEL TUBES”, and with bead front sight, block mounted rear sight with gold inlaid center line and short scroll engraved rear rib with doll’s head extension. Border engraved casehardened action signed “CHARLES LANCASTER’S PATENT / LONDON” on each side, with upper tang mounted safety catch with gold inlaid “SAFE” and blued removable firing pin bushings. Double trigger mechanism comprising larger rear cocking trigger and shorter checkered front firing trigger. Barrels and action stuck with London black powder proof marks. Figured straight hand stock with raised cheekpiece and checkered grip and forearm. With brass cornered oak and leather case with accessories, the lid with printed Charles Lancaster trade label.

Professionally refinished throughout. Barrels have been reblacked, signature clear, some spots of corrosion marking visible beneath the finish. Action and furniture retain virtually all the renewed case hardened finish. Replacement stock has been refinished with a small crack coming off the forend shoe, and some scattered minor blemishes. Case in very good refurbished condition. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.