I have an Alfred Lancaster that I acquired a couple of years ago through Kirby Hoyt. It is a best boxlock sidelever with complete, beautiful engraving and an action that is as smooth as silk. It has “A. Lancaster London” on both sides of the action but no inscription on the barrel rib. I believe the barrel rib may have been partially replaced at one time because it is of two parts: the distal 7/8th of the rib is of a different metal than the beginning 3 inches of rib which contains the doll’s head for the breech.
By the serial number records in Nigel Brown’s British Gunmakers, this gun was made in 1886, probably at the Green Street address.
My specs on the gun:
Alfred Lancaster of London
#4343 No. 1 of a pair, circa 1886
2 1/2 " 12 ga. Sidelever Anson & Deeley Boxlock Extractor with Game Counter in the stock
29" London Nitro Proof Damascus Barrels (rebrowned by Buck Hamlin 2006)
Bores 0.731
Choke .005/.010
Wall thickness L.031 R.030
Wt. 6lb. 6 oz
LOP 15 1/4" to leather covered pad
Drop @ Comb 1 3/4"
Drop @ Face 1 15/16"
Drop @ Heel 2 7/16"
Cast @ Heel 1/16"
On the barrel flats are the original black powder proof marks: 1) the letters GP interlaced in a cipher and surmounted by a crown, 2) The letter V surmounted by a crown, 3)13M, 12B and 4)“NOT FOR BALL”. (I would be interested to know the meaning and significance of 13M 12B!)
Newer reproof marks include 1) NITROPROOF 1 1/8 and 2) the letters NP surmounted by an arm dexter holding a scimitar (the modern London nitro proof symbol introduced in 1904). No reproof date marked (i.e. reproof prior to 1972).
Most interesting is what is on the watertable of the action: “Anson and Deeley Patent 6950” which is apparently a patent use # for the Anson and Deeley action (which was still protected by an active patent in 1886.)
This is my favorite quail gun! (And I would love to find #2!)
