A pair of royal guns are up for sale at Gavin Gardiner’s auction on 6 September 2021. The Charles Lancaster muzzle-loading 14-bores will appeal to a collector, says gun expert Diggory Hadoke of VintageGuns.co.uk, and are guided at £30,000-£40,000. Diggory points out that a pair of hammer Stephen Grants made for Albert’s son, Bertie, Prince of Wales, sold for £50,000 15 years ago.
Charles Lancaster built the percussion guns, nos 1558/9, for Prince ALnbert as a gidt from Queen Victoria. The 31-inch damascus barrels, the ribs signed “Charles Lancaster, 151 New Bond Street, London”, each come with ebony ramrods numbered to the gun and with nickel silver fittings, and platinum lined breeches and plugs. The hammers and locks have fine scroll engraving and retain much original hardening colour. The maker’s name is signed within a banner, steel furniture, pineapple finial, the trigger guards engraved with dogs and game, the gold escutcheons engraved with a crowned ‘A’, half length highly figured stocks with engraved and numbered steel butt plates, 14½-inch pull, 7lb 2oz, black powder proof, in their maker’s velvet-lined mahogany case with lift-out tray, tools and accessories, etc
HRH Prince Albert was a regular customer of Charles Lancaster and he ordered his first pair of 15-bore guns (nos. 1346/7) in 1843 and the company received the Royal Warrant later that same year. The maker confirms that the guns were built in 1850.
For more about the modern firm of Chales Lancaster, visit CLGuns.com
