Charles Lancaster Martini Sporting .450 Express Oval Bore Rifle, Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,525.00
LSB#: LSB260419DN067
Make: Charles Lancaster
Model: Martini Sporting Rifle
Serial Number: 7521
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1870s-1880s, Antique
Caliber: .450 Black Powder Express
Action Type: Falling-Block Single Shot Rifle
Barrel Length: 28″, Solid Rib
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the rib. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the rib with a vertical line aiming reference.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with horn forend cap, straight grip, straight comb, smooth steel buttplate with trapdoor over a storage compartment (nothing in the compartment) and a sling eyelet in the belly (there is another eyelet mounted to the bottom of the barrel forward of the forend). The stocks have some nicks and dings, most notable in the forend, with a few scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. The wood is generally a little shy to the metal. The LOP measures 14 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a patina with wear around the edges and infrequent spots of finish. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original. Numbers match on guard, barrel and forend.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with correct oval-bore rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a little minor oxidation, most notable on the top of the rib and at the rear of the receiver on the top and right. The breech block retains good case color while portions of the lever have muted or show oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Charles Lancaster was a noted British gunmaker based at 151 New Bond Street in London, learning his trade from his father, also named Charles Lancaster. He is perhaps best known for developing the “oval-bore” in 1850, an early form of polygonal rifling which reduced deformation of projectiles as well as build-up of fouling. It seems that in his service to the British government, he mostly focused on artillery, but his firm made a number of sporting guns of varying types.
This example is a beautiful sporting rifle built on a Martini action. It is chambered for .450 Black Powder Express with Lancaster’s signature oval-bore rifling. It appears to have had a gentle life, retaining much of its original finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. The stocks have been refinished, but still look quite nice. This is a fascinating sporting rifle from a known British maker that will enhance any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud