Anybody know how these stack up against the others of that hallowed town? Looking at a sidelock that appears to be pre 1898, but, superb quality, none the less. Sleeved, with a different London makers name on the rib. Fine scroll to die for.
Best,
Ted

Some of my absloutely favourite guns are early base-fire style hammer guns by Lancaster - detail, proportion, shape, engraving, design all stunning.

Later he made a bit of a name for himself (well HAA Thorn who ran the business by then did) by coining the term 'Twelve Twenty' and using it to sell Baker's back action under the Lancaster name from around 1924). thes eare invariably excellent quality - mostly made in Birmingham for Lancaster.

Lancaster sidelocks of the late 19th Century have a dodgy reputation among gunsmiths - especially the 'wristbreakers', which can now be relatively expensive to fix - and you need the right man to do the job.

I do like Lancaster's style and the 'house style' foliate engraving is to my eye very attractive.

The original Charles Lancaster was a barrel maker of first repute and he made barrels for other firms early in his career - keep an eye out for C.L stamped under the barrel tubes of 1870s hammer guns.

Find a good 'Lanc'and it is likely to be the equal of anything else. I have an 1870s oval-bore hammer double rifle at home that is built on the slide and drop underlever action and it could not be nicer if it gave out free cigars.

Dig, didn't Charles Lancaster have that "Leg a Mutton" looking sidelock???

Yes indeed, that is the one commonly known as a'wristbreaker'. Very distinctive, quite commonly encountered, tricky when it goes wrong.

I've owned two of the wristbreakers and have yet to see a benefit to the assisted opener. Of course I stopped shooting driven birds before I got them. They are well made guns and once you learn the trick to closing them they're nice guns.

TS - The Lancaster brand name was, like nearly all brands, used on a variety of guns. Therefore, using the name only to judge a gun may/will lead you astray. Certainly the brand name has value within the market pricing structure, Lancaster having BV2 which is 3/4 the value of BV1 (Boss, H&H, Purdey, and Woodward). However, note that the actual Original Quality grade of the gun and the Current Condition of the gun each have a factor weight of 20X. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to determine the original quality grade and current condition level of any gun to approach a price estimate.

Boss is the only name that could be construed as implying "best" quality grade SLE. Lancaster certainly could make guns as good as anyone (best quality guns). The question is, "Is this a best grade Lancaster?" Brit made guns tend to be very honest in appearance equaling quality grade. Usually, 75-100% coverage of high quality engraving will be a key indicator of the gun being of best work. Factor in metal to metal fit, wood to metal fit, and wood quailty and they usually are what they appear to be. A factory tarted up lower grade gun is rare.

Thanks to all. The gun is NOT a hammer gun, and IS pre 1898. From what I can tell, it is a 100% coverage engraved intercepting sear sidelock with ejectors. The engraving is a particularly fine style of tight scroll, could be the house style that Dig aludes to. The gun has been sleeved, and is so marked on the rib, along with the London address of the company that did the work. The barrels look perfect, the rest of the gun shows use, and some symptoms of poor storage, pitting here and there, 0% case colors, and a stock that would best be refinished. No case or extras, owner is pretty firm at 5 large.

It is a very pretty gun, perhaps just a bit more character showing than I like to see, but, nice at any rate.

Thanks again. I'll pass, I believe.
Best,
Ted

Ted both of mine were in about the same condition that you describ except one was still damascus. I paid $500 each for them. I'd pass also.

Ted, ye olde wristbreaker was a Frederick Beesley designed action - I think he sold out his patent rights.