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  • Auction Catalog #87
  • Lot #1537
Lot #1536
Lot #1538

Lot 1537: Lancaster 20 Gauge Rotary Underlever Four Barrel Shotgun

Very Rare Engraved Lancaster 20 Bore Rotary Underlever Thorn Patent Four-Barrel Hammerless Shotgun

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 10, 2022

Lot 1537: Lancaster 20 Gauge Rotary Underlever Four Barrel Shotgun

Very Rare Engraved Lancaster 20 Bore Rotary Underlever Thorn Patent Four-Barrel Hammerless Shotgun

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 10, 2022

Estimated Price: $10,000 - $15,000
Price Realized:
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Very Rare Engraved Lancaster 20 Bore Rotary Underlever Thorn Patent Four-Barrel Hammerless Shotgun

Manufacturer: Lancaster Charles
Model: 4 Barrel
Type: Shotgun
Gauge: 20
Barrel: 26 inch solid rib
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 1430
Item Interest: Very Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 368
Class: Antique
Description:

The maker’s records confirm that this shotgun was completed in 1881 for the Maharaja of Burdwan. This would be Maharaja Aftab Chand Mahtab who ruled from 1879 to his untimely death in 1885. The upper barrel rib has a bead front sight and is signed "CHARLES LANCASTER 151 NEW BOND STREET LONDON. PATENT FOUR BARREL BREECH LOADING HAMMERLESS GUN." The bottom of the barrels have "5050 CL." Faint London proof marks are visible by the "20" bore markings on the sides of the barrels. The water table has the serial number and London view marks, and the breech face has one dot by the upper left firing pin, two by the upper right, three by the lower right, and four by the lower left indicating the firing sequence and "CHARLES LANCASTER PATENT" in a circle at the center. The upper tang has a gold inlaid "SAFE" marking. The sides of the casehardened action are each signed "CHARLES LANCASTER'S PATENT/LONDON." The serial number is repeated on the casehardened trigger guard bow. There is some light border engraving throughout. The forearm, stock wrist, and bare butt are all checkered. Barrel and stock measurement (in firing order): chambers measured at 2 ¾ inches; bores 9 inches from the breech measured at .617/.621/.617/.617 inches; choke constriction .003/.007/.002/.003 inches; minimum wall thickness .022/.016/.017/.021 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 1/8 inch drop at heel; 15 1/8 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 10 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Rating Definition:

Very good as professionally restored with 98% blue and casehardened finish, some small patches of pitting visible under the blue, and minor overall wear. The professionally replaced stock has crisp checkering, smooth oil finish, and attractive figure. The sequential action and single trigger are recoil operated and has not been tested with live ammunition.



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