Lancaster Four-Barrel
Charles Lancaster & Co. · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1881
Also known as: Lancaster Pistol, Lancaster Oval Bore Pistol, Thorn Patent Four-Barrel Pistol, Lancaster Howdah Pistol
Overview
The Lancaster Four-Barrel is a break-action, multi-barrel self-defense pistol designed by Henry A. A. Thorn and built by the London firm of Charles Lancaster & Co. from 1881. It carries four fixed barrels arranged in a 2x2 cluster, each bored with the firm's distinctive Lancaster oval bore, which imparts spin to the bullet while appearing smooth. A single double-action trigger works a rotating striker that fires each barrel in sequence, giving four rapid shots before a break-action reload. Chambered for powerful British cartridges such as the .476 Eley, it was favoured by officers and big-game hunters as a compact, hard-hitting backup or 'howdah' arm against dangerous game at close range.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1250 g (44.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 248 mm (9.76") |
| Barrel Length | 152 mm (5.98") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Internal Hammer |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 213 m/s (699 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 397 J (293 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 20 m (22 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Polygonal |
| Number of Grooves | 0 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .476 Eley · primary — also known as .476 Lancaster, .476 Enfield, .476 CF, 11.6mm Enfield
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Manual Break Action Loading
- Features: Four Fixed Barrels, Rotating Striker, Single Trigger Self Cocking, Break Action Top Lever, Lancaster Oval Bore, Big Bore Close Defense
Variants
- Lancaster Two-Barrel Pistol — Barrel Count
Service history
Operators
- British colonial officers and hunters (British Raj)
Production
Production years: 1881-1900
Built in small numbers as bespoke London-trade arms; no centralized production figures exist.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Henry A. A. Thorn
Discontinued: 1900
Notes
Offered in two-barrel and four-barrel forms and in calibers from .380 up to .577 centrefire; the .455/.476 versions were the most common. The oval-bore rifling and rotating-striker, single-trigger mechanism were patented by Henry A. A. Thorn (Thorn patent, 1881-1882). Specifications shown are representative of a .476 four-barrel example.
Background
An officer bound for India could slip the flat Lancaster into a holster knowing that, unlike a revolver with its exposed cylinder gap, its four sealed barrels and self-cocking trigger would deliver four big-bore shots in seconds when a tiger came over the side of the howdah.