A Highly Unusual Pair of Percussion Pocket Pistols by Charles Lancaster, London. With octagonal turn-off barrels engraved with bands of foliage at the muzzles and signed; ‘C.LANCASTER LONDON’ on the top flat, profusely scroll engraved steel box-lock actions decorated with plaited band borders, fitted with profusely engraved sliding thumb-piece safety catches, profusely engraved butt caps with traps, chequered grips with rectangular silver escutcheons depicting rampant dragons; cased in their original leather bound, flush fitting case, comprising bullet mould, barrel key and three-way powder flask (damage to the rear). The pistols were made to fit into a compartment in a dressing box and it is exceptionally rare to find a pair like these on the market. 

LANCASTER

Charles Best Gun Barrel Maker, 10 Craven Buildings., Drury Lane,1811-18; Coach & Horse Yard., Great Litchfield Street., 1822-4; 2 Thomas Place., Hampstead Road. (workshop), 26 York Street., Gloucester Place. (residence) 151 New Bond Street (shop), 1829-47. Gunmaker, 151 New Bond Street., 1829-47. Barrel maker to Joseph Manton. Died 1847. 

Charles William Son of Charles. Gunmaker, 151 New Bond Street., 1847-54; as Charles William & Alfred Lancaster, 1855-60; on his own, 151 New Bond Street. & 2 Little Burton Street., 1861-78. Free of Gunmakers Co. by redemption and took Livery, 1858. Granted English Patent No. 13161 (Oval bore barrels), 1850; No. 13454 (Machinery for making oval bores), 1851 followed by many British Patents., 1853-69. Also granted Registered Design No. 1418 (Pillar breech), 1848 and others, 1848-52. Gunmaker to Ordnance, 1851 (double barreled carbines); 1853 (breech loading rifle); 1855 (oval bore carbines for Royal Sappers & Miners). Awarded £6,600 for invention of oval-bores by Ordnance, 1856. Died 1878. Business acquired by H. A. A. Thorn who continued to trade under the name of Charles Lancaster.  

Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA. 

Dimensions:

Bore: 80 Bore

Barrel Length: 1.5 (3.81 cm)

Overall Length: 5 (12.70 cm)