The first to be tried was one by Lancaster, a well-known maker of sporting guns, who in 1850 patented a system of 'rifling' having a smooth bore of oval or elliptical section with a twist increasing from breech to muzzle. Of the eight service cast iron 68-pr SBML siege guns 'rifled' on Lancaster's principle sent to Sebastopol during the Crimean War (1854-56), three burst. A number of new guns specially produced and 'rifled' in the same way at considerable expense also burst in trials at Shoeburyness in England. Apparently the oval projectiles could not accommodate themselves to the increasing twist of the rifling, jammed in the bore, and blew the muzzles off. Modifications to both bores and projectiles were made but none proved successful.

An interesting experiment followed the bursting of one of the 68-prs at Sebastopol; artificers were directed to trim the jagged muzzle end with a hammer and cold chisel, after which the gun continued to be used as a howitzer. Records indicate it performed quite well in this role!

Although Lancaster's system was not adopted for ordnance it proved successful in small arms. Carbines with his rifling were later issued to the Royal Engineers and were said to have performed satisfactorily.