I was under the impression that Chas. Lancaster guns with a '0' in the prefix were not actually made in the Lancaster factory at 151 New Bond St. Most of these types of guns being 'body action' type guns or mid-grade sidelocks. Does anyone here have a good idea of who was contracted or sourced to build these 'O' prefix guns for Lancasters? I've noticed that still all of the guns that I've looked at with '0' prefix still bear London proof marks, I've never seen one with Birmingham proofs.

Charles William Lancaster (1820–1878) was an English gun maker and improver of rifles and cannon. Lancaster, Charles Shotguns For Sale. Order By Lancaster, Charles Shotguns. Charles Lancaster, a very famous London maker with a great reputation GI#: 100984533. Boxlocks - Built in 1909 this London boxlock is sound and could be with a little restoration a great little and very light field gun. There is some light pitting and a few small dings. Dec 17, 2015 - ($9,024 - $13,536) price realized £11,250 ($16,785). BLACK POWDER EXPRESS) DOUBLE-BARRELLED 'NON-FOULING SMOOTH OVAL. CHARLES LANCASTER, 151 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, SERIAL NO. Estimate £1,500 - £2,000 ($2,256 - $3,008) price realized. Charles Lancaster (stock 06). 12 bore Sidelocks, Lightweight Single Triggers. 28' barrels numbers 1&2. Live Pigeon Gun (stock 16).

Any help, thoughts or good info is of course, greatly appreciated. Dustin #221260 - 03/11/11 11:34 AM Re: Charles Lancaster '0' prefix in serial numbers [] Sidelock Registered: 07/02/10 Posts: 1284 Loc: UK. T, I was hoping to find out exactly 'who' made the guns for Lancaster. AA Brown, Leonard, etc.

More specifically, the self-openers, I've never seen another Lancaster (Beesley) type self-opener with another makers name on it, have you? I did read a short article noting that F. Beesley did produce a few guns utilizing his patent No.425 of 1884 though, never seen one, but they do exist. When you mention seeing 'best' Lancasters with prefix zero, are you saying you've seen Lancaster Model A's and 12/20's with the 0 prefix? I have not, but I'll admit, I've only seen a few 12/20's and a few Model A's. Dustin Edited by LeFusil ( 03/11/11 12:49 PM) #221274 - 03/11/11 01:08 PM Re: Charles Lancaster '0' prefix in serial numbers [] Sidelock Registered: 02/01/02 Posts: 275 Loc: Charlotte NC USA. It is my understanding that the '0' series guns were all made by Beesley using his patents including his interceptor sear, 'self opening' action (often known at the 'wrist breaker') etc and can be found in both boxlock (see Joe's post above) and backaction sidelock forms.

David Baker mentions this and says that he assumes that 'a deal was struck between HAA Thorn ('Charles Lancaster') and Beesley'. I had this information from a couple of other sources but am damned if I can remember where! Buju Banton The Early Years Zippy.

Nigel Brown mentions the '0' prefix but does not comment on its significance other than that the guns were outsourced. #221300 - 03/11/11 05:12 PM Re: Charles Lancaster '0' prefix in serial numbers [] Sidelock Registered: 10/28/06 Posts: 1303 Loc: Utah. Thank you guys. Toby, dont feel all that bad, I can't remember where I read that information either, but I know I read it somewhere!

I just perused through some books and articles and none of them mention the 'who', they just seem to mention that the '0' guns were indeed made by somebody other than Lancasters. The notion that the 'body' action guns were made by F. Beesely suits me just fine, that's quite a pedigree.

I just acquired gun #07825, #1 of a pair, 'body action'. Dustin #221371 - 03/12/11 08:07 AM Re: Charles Lancaster '0' prefix in serial numbers [] Sidelock Registered: 11/03/06 Posts: 566. Dustin,more research may be needed here. Beesley's shop was very small and capable of producing only small numbers of guns each year. Looking at the records in Brown's book show years where sales were below 50 and even 30 guns.