CHARLES LANCASTER DAMASCUS HAMMER UNDERLEVER DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 4751. Cal. 500/450 3-1/4”. Very well made dbl rifle with 28” heavy Damascus bbls, hand-matted, flat rib with silver bead caterpillar front sight and 3-leaf express sight with 100 & 200 yard leaves remaining and 300 yard leaf broken & missing. It has oval bores and bbls are marked on top with maker’s name on left bbl and “PATENT SMOOTHBORE BREECH LOADING RIFLE” on right bbl. It has an unusual locking mechanism that when lever is closed it cams bbls to rear with a long lug that slides into a recess in action. It has a small round action with back action locks, stalking safeties & long spur rabbit ear hammers with set triggers. Receiver, lockplates, hammers & appended metal are all beautifully engraved with very fine English scroll patterns. It has maker’s name & “PATENT” on each side of receiver and maker’s name and “LONDON PATENT” in two ribbons on each lockplate. Mounted with very highly figured, streaky French walnut with a tiny horn insert, schnable tipped, checkered forearm & straight hand stock with cheekpiece, 14-1/2” over a checkered & engraved buttplate. Comb & cheekpiece have a large repair held with four engraved screws. Bottom of stock has a gold initial oval engraved with the crest of royalty. Weight: 8 lbs, 10.6 oz. PROVENANCE: Glenn Marsh Collection. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbls retain dark blue/brown pattern. Receiver retains 25-30% faded case colors with balance turned silver. Lockplates retain 50-60% faded case colors. Wood, with repair in stock comb, is otherwise sound and retains most of its very old, fine professionally restored finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bores with some light scuffing in left bore and one spot of pitting in right bore. 4-59599 JR309 (3,000-5,000)
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