The maker’s records confirm that this 4 bore gun, serial no. 1675, was made with a 3 ft. barrel and sold to an H.H. Paul in 1849. With browned Damascus tapering round sighted barrel with short bolster at the lock, short sighting flat engraved with monogram “CWL” in gothic script within a belt bearing the Latin motto “AUT CASAR AUT NULLUS”, and no provision for a ramrod. Casehardened recessed patent breech with platinum lined touch hole, platinum inlaid line, platinum lined maker’s mark “CHARLES/LANCASTER/LONDON” and profusely engraved with fine tight scrollwork. Casehardened standing breech profusely engraved with tight scrollwork and border and scroll engraved bar lock signed “C. LANCASTER. 151. NEW BOND ST.” Well figured, 14 1/8 inch, walnut half length stock with checkered grip and forearm, the latter with dark horn cap, and butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon to the underside and period padded cheek rest fitted to the comb. Scroll engraved iron furniture including blued trigger guard, casehardened trigger plate with pineapple finial and blued heel plate, the trigger guard bow and heel plate tang each with small panel game scene. London proof marks. An old handwritten luggage tag is tied through the trigger guard stating (erroneously) “4 BORE TUBELOCK BY C. LANCASTER/LONDON No. 1675 1843 (PIGEON GUN)./THIS GUN IS THOUGHT TO HAVE/BEEN C.W. LANCASTER PERSONAL/GUN AND BEARS THE MONOGRAM/C.W.L. & THE MOTTO “EITHER FIRST OR NOWHERE” ON THE BARREL”. According to the maker’s records the serial number falls within the range for production and sale in 1849. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Very good. The barrel retains more than half of the older rebrowned finish and has been shortened by 1 inch apparently during its working life. The breech is discolored but retains crisp engraving. The standing breech and lock each a light grey patina with slight traces of original faded casehardened finish, and crisp engraving. Some aged corrosion and handling wear to the furniture, traces of blue, possibly original, remain on trigger guard and heel plate, some age and wear softening to engraving. The stock has numerous age related storage, use and handling marks, bruises and blemishes throughout, the checkering is well-defined with some age related bruising and scratches. Comb has been carved out prior to the fitting of the cheek rest to lower the sight line during its working life. Mechanically excellent.