On leaving school he entered his father's factory, where he practically learnt the business of a gunmaker and soon became a clever designer of models, a thoroughly skilled workman, and a mechanician of high order.

At the request of the government, these models were not exhibited, but a 68-pounder oval-bore gun, made and rifled at Birmingham, with accurately turned shells, was sent to Shoeburyness for trial.

During the Crimean campaign, oval-bored rifle cannon were used in the form of the 68-pounder Lancaster gun and were considered disappointing with less accuracy than expected and a tendency to jam or burst.

[2][3] Shortly after the war, heavier guns were required for armour-piercing, and the experiments carried out at Shoeburyness, in which Lancaster assisted, led to a complete revolution in rifled artillery.

His transactions with the War Office, however, led to disputes, and he scheduled his claims in a pamphlet but was unsuccessful in obtaining the recognition of his services to which he considered himself entitled.