The maker’s records confirm that this incredible pair of rifles were made in 1862 for the Maharaja of Jodhpur Takht Singh. Part of a grand series of opulent firearms ordered from the famous London firm of Charles Lancaster with distinctive gilt actions and furniture by both Takht Singh and his successor Jaswant Singh. With browned damascus barrels respectively signed “CHARLES LANCASTER” and “151. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON.” towards the breech ends. Broad solid matted sighting rib with blued bead front sight and blued rear sight of three folding leaves graduated from “100” to “200” yards and each with a gold inlaid center line. Casehardened patent breeches each with platinum plug and numbered “1” on the rib section. The underside of the barrels struck with London proof marks and barrelsmith’s mark “CL”. Substantial brass mounted wooden ramrod serial numbered to the rifle. Locks each signed “C. LANCASTER LONDON” within ribbons and with blued pins and sliding safety catches in front of the hammers. The standing breech, locks, ramrod entry pipe, barrel bolt escutcheons, trigger plate with pineapple finial and blued triggers, pistol grip trigger guard, hinged patch box cover and checkered buttplate all gilt and finely engraved with scrollwork. Finely figured walnut half-length stock with checkered grip and forearm, the underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon and gilt sling stud, a corresponding sling eye being fitted beneath the central ramrod pipe.

Of identical form to “A”, the rib section above the breeches numbered “2”. The pair contained in their original brass bound fitted oak case lined in dark blue baize, the lid with printed Charles Lancaster trade label. With accessories including two William Davis iron ball molds each respectively serial numbered to one of the rifles, two additional brass mounted hardwood ramrods each with worm and detachable handle, two casehardened mainspring clamps, four original spare mainsprings with the remains of the factory paper wrapper, two octagonal bodied nickel plated oilers, two period (if not actually factory original) green canvas slings, and two leather pouches each containing a takedown combined nipple wrench/turnscrew/pricker, two spare percussion nipples and one with a spare lock retaining screw. The front edge of the case with old pasted handwritten storage label.