doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com CHARLES LANCASTER DOUBLE RIFLE

I just bought a Charles Lancaster Hammerless Double Rifle SN 741X. It has 30 inch barrels with a swamped rib. The left barrel is marked: "CHARLES LANCASTER 151 NEW BOND ST. LONDON" The right barrel is marked: "NON-FOULING SMOOTH OVAL BORE RIFLING" The sides of the action are marked: "CHARLES LANCASTER
LONDON"
The bottom panel is marked: "PATENTED BLOCK
SAFETY"
The toplever action body has "percussion fences" The top rib has a "doll's head" locking the breech. Scope mounts are present but no scope. One fixed and two folding express sights.
All numbers match. The caliber appears to be about .45.

I would like an idea as to value and year of production,availability of ammunition and where the factory records migh presently reside. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards, George Lander

741X puts it in 1894. This info comes from "London Gunmakers".

It is most likely a 450x3-1/4" BPE, although it may be one of the 500/450's.

You will most likely have to reload for it, but components are readily available.

Hope this helps...

That serial number should put it to around 1894/5. Lagopus.....

Thanks CFWs & lagopus. I see there has been some more activity on the other Charles Lancaster thread. Is there a book in print on this maker?

Best Regards, George

I dont think there is a book specifically on this maker. Lancaster (aka Henry Thorne) did write books though.


This maker is fastly becoming my favorite, the more I read about Thorn, how he ran the busniness and how he didn't take any b.s. from other makers or people involved in the trade, the more I like the guns. The boxlocks (or body action as Thorn called them) are wonderfully shaped and very finely finished inside and out. The Model A, the companies flag ship model is my favorite English gun. I've had my gun completely apart.. and there are so many fine details involved in its manufacture, things that took alot of extra time, things that alot of other guns, guns costing much more didn't have. Examples would be the way the tumblers are polished and filed, the high quality of the springs, the polish and fitting of all the other lock parts, the inletting in the stock, the house style engraving, all of it is just superb.

Dustin