Charles Lancaster (1820-1878) designed his oval bore rifling in 1850 and introduced it first to artillery and muzzle loading rifles. The maker’s records confirm that this rifle was completed in 1864 for a Mr. P. Wingfield. This form of action featuring a distinctive slightly forward angled standing breech was originally designed for Lancaster’s “base fire” shotguns. Lancaster’s “base fire” cartridge was one of the earliest cartridge designs and pre-dates the Daw center fire cartridge by the best part of a decade. It is understood that the Lancaster cartridge had no priming cap, ignition being achieved via an internal brass disc pierced with four flash holes, the rear face of this disc being smeared with percussion compound and attached to the base of the cartridge so that when the base was struck ignition was achieved and dispersed to the main charge. Originally the invention of Louis Julien Gastinne, this design along with other gun designs were patented in Britain on November 29, 1853 (no. 2778) by Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford and in turn assigned to Charles Lancaster on November 22, 1856. The rifle features a beaded blade front sight, flat folding four leaf rear sight (50, 100, 150, and 200 yard leaves with gold sight lines), "CHARLES LANCASTER . 151 NEW BOND ST. LONDON" on top of the left barrel, "PATENT BREECH LOADING SMOOTH BORED RIFLED" on the top of the right barrel, "CL" maker's marks along with the proof on the barrels, "CHARLES LANCASTER'S PATENT" on the sides of the frame, "C. LANCASTER./LONDON./PATENT." signed locks with half-cock stalking safeties, checkered lower tang and buttplate, a dog on the heel of the latter, elaborate scroll engraving throughout, checkered forearm and straight wrist, oval cheek rest, and 14 1/2 inch length of pull. Matching serial numbers are on the barrels, watertable, forearm, rotary lever, and trigger guard bow. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine with 90% plus refinished brown on the barrels along with distinct twist patterns, 85% plus blue finish on the trigger guard, minor pitting under the finish, gray patina on the balance, crisp engraving and markings, and general mild wear. The refinished wood is also fine and has crisp checkering, minor chips at the edges of the forearm, and light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.