CHARLES LANCASTER
AN UNUSUAL .256 OVAL BORE (6.5X54RMM) STEYR 1899 BOLT-ACTION SPORTING RIFLE, serial no. 8432 / B2844,
26 1/8in. nitro barrel with open sights and folding leaf sights for 100, 200 and 300 yards and block-mounted bead foresight, barrel engraved 'CHARLES LANCASTER, 151, NEW BOND STREET, LONDON. NON-FOULING SMOOTH OVAL-BORE RIFLING.', receiver marked 'STEYR 1899', blued finish, figured semi-pistolgrip stock with sling eyes, 14 1/4in. pull including blued steel buttplate

Other Notes: Patented in 1850 by Charles Lancaster, oval bore rifling is generally found in larger calibres than 6.5mm. At the time it was vaunted as being more efficient in the field than black powder weapons with standard rifling (especially in a military context) with less fouling ensuring more consistent accuracy over a greater number of shots. Furthermore, according to H.A.A Thorn of Charles Lancaster, it also ensured a longer barrel life in 'that there is nothing to wear out, no sharp edges to wear down', and believing that 'where there are sharp edges every shot is doing something towards wearing out the barrels'.
Estimate £400-600

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