LANCASTER

Charles William (eld. son of Charles Lancaster of 151 New Bond st. London, gunmaker, d. 1847). b. York st. Portman sq. London 24 June 1820; in his father’s factory, succeeded to the busine 1847; solved the problem of rifled cannon 1844–5; conceived the idea of the oval bore as proper form for all rifled arms and cannon 1850; superintended production of guns in Royal Arsenal, Woolwich; the Lancaster carbine was adopted as the arm for the royal engineers Jany. 1855, superseded by Martini-Henry rifle 1869; took out upwards of 20 patents 1850–72; the Czar of Ru ia had a large gold medal struck in his honour; A.I.C.E. 6 April 1852. d. 151 New Bond st. London 24 April 1878. Min. of proc. of instit. of C.E. liii 289–92 (1878); Sporting Mirror , iii 21–2 (1882).