‡ A FINE CASED PAIR OF ROYAL 20 BORE D.B. PERCUSSION... Lot 341

‡ A FINE CASED PAIR OF ROYAL 20 BORE D.B. PERCUSSION RIFLED HOWDAH PISTOLS, MADE FOR TAKHAT SINGH, MAHARAJA OF JODHPUR (1843-73) AND INSCRIBED TO HIS SON, KANWAR SHRI JASWANT SINGH II, BY CHARLES LANCASTER, 151 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, NOS. 3637/8, CIRCA 1862 with signed browned twist sighted barrels rifled with seven grooves, proofed, numbered and with the barrelsmith's initials 'CL' beneath the breeches, the ribs with gold inlaid Devenagri inscription to Kanwar Shri Jaswant Singh II, fitted with blued blade fore-sights, engraved and gilt breeches with fences and pierced platinum plugs, engraved gilt breech tangs incorporating the back-sights, signed engraved gilt locks numbered on the inside, fitted with blued bolt safety-catches and detents, wooden stocks encased in sheet silver, decorated with chevrons behind the locks, the pommels and fore-ends each with hinged silver trap, engraved gilt iron trigger-guards with pineapple finials and numbered tails, blued belt-hooks, original iron ramrods and much original finish: in original fitted oak case lined in blue velvet (one compartment divider damaged, small areas of wear), the lid with trade label (extensive tears), and with some contemporary accessories including pigskin powder-flask, wad cutter, bullet mould and leather pouch with spare nipples and lock retaining screws 16.5 cm; 6 ½ in barrels The Lancaster records state that these pistols (nos. 3637 and 3638) were made in 1862 for the Maharaja of Jodhpur. During this and the preceding year the Maharaja bought no less than fourteen firearms from Lancaster. The inscription on the barrels records their ownership by his son, and successor as Maharaja, Kanwar Shri Jaswant Singh II (1838-95). Jaswant Singh II was born in 1837 and succeeded to the gadi in February 1873. He was a reformist ruler, bringing prosperity to Jodhpur through the introduction of railways, canals, lakes and telegraphs. He was made a Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of