Charles Lancaster, 151 New Bond Street, London
12 bore Bar Action Sidelock Ejector
no. 7776
Date of manufacture: 1896

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Heritage Guns' Comment

This gun is in quite extraordinary condition for its age and therefore an excellent acquisition by any enthusiast for guns from this pre-eminent gunmaker. What is interesting about these guns is that they are often described as 'back action' (mainspring behind tumbler) but in fact are 'bar action' (mainspring in front of tumbler) but with a back action style lock plate.
Made right at the beginning of the nitro proof era, the beautiful Damascus barrels display original 2 ½" nitro proof marks which is quite unusual as at this time Damascus barrel where nearly always proofed for black powder. Since then the chambers have been lengthened to 2 ¾" and the gun was reproofed in 2015.
In recent times the stock & forend wood have been professionally replaced with a lovely piece of well figured walnut with very good dimensions. Another big plus is that the gun was built with Southgate ejectors which is a huge relief for anyone who has had to deal with a malfunctioning Perkes patent mechanism more commonly found on Lancasters.
Significant traces of original CCH remain in protected areas and the engraving is beautifully crisp.
In conclusion, the gun remains in top condition and, with its interceptor sears and strong action, is a safe and pretty gun for game and clays.
Presented in a relined Leather & Brass case with a reproduction label and some accessories.

WE REGRET THAT THIS GUN IS NOW SOLD. IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR A SIMILAR GUN, PLEASE CONTACT US.

 

The action is of Frederick Beesley's design and features:
Mainsprings that only tension when gun is closed, which lends a self-opening effect;
Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide;
Disc set strikers; 'Leg of Mutton' bar action locks;
Interceptor sears on late H&H pattern;
Toplever operating a 'Purdey Bolt' by way of a 'Scott Spindle';
Southgate ejectors operated by slides in the action bar;
'Rigby' style lever forend catch
Gun weight 6lb 13oz
Engraving style Best bold foliate scroll. Lockplates engraved 'CHARLES LANCASTER PATENT'. Top rib engraved 'PATENT EJECTOR'. Black enamel SAFE on white metal plaque.
Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 4lbs Rear trigger 4 1/2 lbs
The Damascus barrels are 30" in length, chambered for 2 ¾ " (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs.
Top rib is of the concave, game type.
Birmingham reproof for 70mm nitro powder cartridges in 2015.


Approximate barrel measurements at date of publication:

 
Nominal Proof Size
Bore Diameter 9" from Breech
Minimum Wall Thickness
Choke Constriction
Right Barrel
18.6mm (0.732")
0.735"
0.025"

0.011" (IC)
Left Barrel
18.6mm (0.732")
0.735"
0.025"

0.024" (IM)

The replacement Straight Hand Stock and Splinter Forend are crafted from well figured walnut. The stock is lightly cast-off for a right-handed shot and is finished with a chequered butt. There is vacant, riveted, white metal oval, probably from the original stock as this is a style long since replaced by soldered construction.
Well Figured Walnut

The bold 16 lines per inch chequering is to a normal sidelock pattern that closely follows the outline of the lock plate and has been lightly freshened.
The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation as used on best guns by one of the top English makers. This finish uses no grain fillers to achieve its deep, smooth lustre, only many hours of alternate build and flatting off of the surface.

Approximate stock measurements at date of publication:

Pull to Heel
Pull to Bump
Pull to Centre
Pull to Toe
14 3/4"
14 7/8"
14 7/8"
15 1/4"
Drop at Comb
Drop at Face
Drop at Heel
1 1/2"
1 3/4"
2 1/8"
Cast-off at Comb
Cast-off at Heel
Negligible
1/8" approx

For the purposes of these measurements, 'Drop at Face' is the 'drop' measurement taken on a line perpendicular to the
line joining the trigger and centre of the butt at approximately 8" from the trigger (front trigger on a double trigger gun).

Patents Exhibited include:
Beesley's action patent no. 425 of 1884;
'Purdey Bolt' patent no. 1104 of 1863;
'Scott Spindle' patent no. 2752 of 1865;
'Southgate' ejectors patent no. 12314 of 1889;
Harvey's forend catch patent no 1793 of 1866.