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Forums10
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Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Jul 2010
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284 |
Hi folks, need some opinion here.
I'm potentially going to buy a Charles Lancaster from 1911 or thereabouts. On consulting my British Gunmakers tome it seems that serial numbers were somtimes preceded by a zero (0) or double zeros (00). These were guns that were not made by the company...now...this gun has a serial starting with a zero.
In peoples opinion it's Charles Lancaster? Or does this devalue the gun? Would very much like to hear what people say before I buy it. It's a nice gun....but...
Cheers
T
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525 |
I guess it depends. While I prefer guns that were actually built by Lancasters, I wouldn't shy away from a gun with Lancasters name(or anybody elses name) on it that was built elsewhere if the quality of the gun itself was good to excellent. Questions to ponder would be, what is the overrall quality of the gun? What type of action is it built on? Etc.
If Lancaster saw fit to put their name it, I should think the quality of the gun would be up to par, at least to the standards of "C" quality. I would call it a Lancaster. You dont call a boxlock finished and sold by Churchill a Webley & Scott do you? I dont.
Dustin
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284 |
Hi Dustin, it's quite a nicely engraved Sidelock. Steel barrels. It is a nice gun it just made me think twice that's all.
My quandry is that it's this gun or a William evans from the turn of the century....oh what to do. The Evans is £500 cheaper too but has a repair needed on the forearm..
My initial thoughts were (before I learnt of the preceding zero) was Lancaster every time..now I'm not so sure..
Thanks for the view.
T
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525 |
T,
Any idea on the origins of the action of this "Lancaster"? Soundsl like a nice gun. By the way, you did a very nice job on your Greener hammergun.
Dustin
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,737 Likes: 96
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,737 Likes: 96 |
I have a 'C' grade Lancaster sidelock ejector that was almost certainly made by Webley & Scott. Still shoots like a thoroughbred though. Lagopus.....
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Joined: Jul 2010
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284 |
Dustin, not sure on the origin. It's quite nicely engraved and not a utility grade...did Lancaster make anything like a utility anyway?!  Can you post any pictures or email Lagopus so I can see yours please before I purchase either gun tomorrow? Cheers T
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525 |
Sure, Lancaster did produce various "utility grade" guns, I think the company term was "Colonial Quality". I've seen extremely plain, but high quality Lancaster guns, mostly "body action" (this is the term Lancaster used for his proprietary, assisted opening A&D action). I believe there was a time in most English gunmakers history where they were almost forced to make or provide a quality gun minus all the extra embellishments like engraving and extra-quality hand finishing to the shooting public. Most likely they had to do it because the many Birmingham makers were making a mint selling these types of guns, they basically had a monopoly on that part of the market. Makers like Churchill, Watson, Atkin, Lancaster, Evans and many others all had guns made for them to fill this niche so they could be somewhat competitive. One of Chas. Lancasters "Best" efforts...  Dustin
Last edited by LeFusil; 08/03/10 03:29 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284 |
Hi Dustin, very interesting. I think I might buy both the Evans and the Lancaster. Throw caution to the wind, you only live once! Is that gun above a boxlock with a plate or is it a backlock of some sort?
The Lancaster I am considering is a straight sidelock with some nice engraving but not a best gun in my opinion...gah then there is a Thomas Blan sidelock I've seen..can't afford all three!
T
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,284 |
Hi Dustin, very interesting. I think I might buy both the Evans and the Lancaster. Throw caution to the wind, you only live once! Is that gun above a boxlock with a plate or is it a backlock of some sort?
The Lancaster I am considering is a straight sidelock with some nice engraving but not a best gun in my opinion...gah then there is a Thomas Blan sidelock I've seen..can't afford all three!
T
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,272 Likes: 525 |
T,
That gun is the famous Lancaster "Wrist-Breaker" also known as the Model A. It was Lancasters top of the line until the advent of the Baker designed 12/20's. It is a back action sidelock, ejector, self opener. It is a Beesley designed action, brought out 4 years after he designed the famous action he sold to Purdey. These Model A Lancasters are my favorite.
Dustin
Last edited by LeFusil; 08/03/10 03:59 PM.
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