Joseph Lang & Son

[nathan.whynott]

I have a Joseph Lang & Son shot gun. Here are some pictures. Was hoping someone more intelligent than me could pass on any information. Standard googling is not yielding much.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

12, 20, or what?

Any model designation?

 

[nathan.whynott]

12 gauge

 

[baboon]

That’s pretty sweet

 

[Army 1911]

Looks like a nice English gun.

 

[nathan.whynott]

12, 20, or what?

Any model designation?

On top it says Joseph Lang & Son 10 pall mall london

 

[Army 1911]

I would be careful shooting modern ammo out of that. Pretty sure that gun dates 1890-1920. Probably a bespoke gun.

 

[EZ-E]

Nice looking shotgun. I would call Joseph's Guns in Richmond,TX. They deal in antique English firearms.

Josephs Vintage Guns

Joseph's Vintage Guns is derived from a deep passion for the sport of shooting and a respect for the superior craftsmanship of English guns. We also sell accessories, clothing, leather goods, gifts, cigars and coffee.

www.josephsvintageguns.com

 

[robertc1024]

Wow - that's beautiful.

 

[Fishkiller]

Fine looking gun. Most likley has 2 1/2 inch chamber. I found this tidbit from Mr. Google, looks like your gun was made between 1890 to 1895.

"Brief History of Joseph Lang: Lang can trace its beginning from 1821. Joseph Lang senior married James Purdey’s daughter, Eliza in 1828, and became one of the first pioneers of breech loading sporting firearms in the 1850's. He was very active with sporting dogs and early day field trials. The company became Joseph Lang & Son in 1875 when his son, also named Joseph, joined his father’s company upon completing his apprenticeship with his maternal grandfather, James Purdey. Like Purdey, the firm of Joseph Lang & Son became renowned as a best quality gunmaker. They moved to 10 Pall Mall in 1890. In 1895, they moved again to the prestigious address of 102 New Bond Street and in 1901 became Joseph Lang & Son Ltd. In 1907 the firm introduced the ever popular 470 Nitro Express. The sole USA agent was Abercrombie & Fitch in 1914 to 1919. In 1925 the firm combined with Stephen Grant. In the 1930's Grant & Lang joined with Beesley, Hellis, Hussey, Watson Bros. and Lancaster over a ten year period. In 1960, Atkin was added and the firm operated as Atkin, Grant & Lang and by 1971, it became Churchill, Atkin, Grant & Lang. In 2011, the business was purchased by Francis Lovel and is today building Grant over & unders, Grant sidelever's, Atkin spring openers, Atkin over & unders, Lang double express rifles and Lang bolt rifles. See atkingrantandlang."

https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/joseph-lang-son-best-quality-sidelock-ejector-self-opener-12-ga-28-barrels-as-new.257705/

 

[nathan.whynott]

Fine looking gun. Most likley has 2 1/2 inch chamber. I found this tidbit from Mr. Google, looks like your gun was made between 1890 to 1895.

"Brief History of Joseph Lang: Lang can trace its beginning from 1821. Joseph Lang senior married James Purdey’s daughter, Eliza in 1828, and became one of the first pioneers of breech loading sporting firearms in the 1850's. He was very active with sporting dogs and early day field trials. The company became Joseph Lang & Son in 1875 when his son, also named Joseph, joined his father’s company upon completing his apprenticeship with his maternal grandfather, James Purdey. Like Purdey, the firm of Joseph Lang & Son became renowned as a best quality gunmaker. They moved to 10 Pall Mall in 1890. In 1895, they moved again to the prestigious address of 102 New Bond Street and in 1901 became Joseph Lang & Son Ltd. In 1907 the firm introduced the ever popular 470 Nitro Express. The sole USA agent was Abercrombie & Fitch in 1914 to 1919. In 1925 the firm combined with Stephen Grant. In the 1930's Grant & Lang joined with Beesley, Hellis, Hussey, Watson Bros. and Lancaster over a ten year period. In 1960, Atkin was added and the firm operated as Atkin, Grant & Lang and by 1971, it became Churchill, Atkin, Grant & Lang. In 2011, the business was purchased by Francis Lovel and is today building Grant over & unders, Grant sidelever's, Atkin spring openers, Atkin over & unders, Lang double express rifles and Lang bolt rifles. See atkingrantandlang."

https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/joseph-lang-son-best-quality-sidelock-ejector-self-opener-12-ga-28-barrels-as-new.257705/

Awesome Thanks!

 

[Wiliamr]

A little bit about Lang and Sons. This particular shotgun has this parentage: Joseph Lang, was one of London’s most prolific gun makers. The son-in-law of James Purdey, he was one of the first pioneers of breech loading sporting forearms in the 1850’s. The firm became Joseph Lang & Son in 1875 after his son, also named Joseph, apprenticed at Purdey. Lang moved to 10 Pall Mall in 1890.
In 1914 Lang reached an agreement with Abercrombie & Fitch where they became their only agent in the US for 5 years. In 1925 Stephen Grant merged with the firm and in 1930 became Atkin, Grant & Lang and still operate under that name.

The serial number puts the manufacture date somewhere between 1895 and 1900. I would lean towards 1896- 1897 or so. Look for a makers label on the case, usually inside but could be on the outside.

 

[MikePotts]

Pretty early Lang "back action" sidelock, check the stock for cracks and have the barrels inspected before shooting, like fishy says it originally had 2 1/2" chambers but may have been lengthened if it's been stateside for any length of time, doesn't mean it's safe to shoot though - get it checked out. Kirk Merrington in Kerrville's about the best guy for that. Hang the barrels on a finger and tap then on the side to see if the ribs are tight - should be a clear 'gong' sound - not a rattle or thud

 

[nathan.whynott]

A little bit about Lang and Sons. This particular shotgun has this parentage: Joseph Lang, was one of London’s most prolific gun makers. The son-in-law of James Purdey, he was one of the first pioneers of breech loading sporting forearms in the 1850’s. The firm became Joseph Lang & Son in 1875 after his son, also named Joseph, apprenticed at Purdey. Lang moved to 10 Pall Mall in 1890.
In 1914 Lang reached an agreement with Abercrombie & Fitch where they became their only agent in the US for 5 years. In 1925 Stephen Grant merged with the firm and in 1930 became Atkin, Grant & Lang and still operate under that name.

The serial number puts the manufacture date somewhere between 1899 and 1910. I would lean towards 1900 or so. Look for a makers label on the case, usually inside but could be on the outside.

Thank you! Unfortunately I dont have the original case.

 

[nathan.whynott]

Pretty early Lang "back action" sidelock, check the stock for cracks and have the barrels inspected before shooting, like fishy says it originally had 2 1/2" chambers but may have been lengthened if it's been stateside for any length of time, doesn't mean it's safe to shoot though - get it checked out. Kirk Merrington in Kerrville's about the best guy for that. Hang the barrels on a finger and tap then on the side to see if the ribs are tight - should be a clear 'gong' sound - not a rattle or thud

She's really tight all the way round. Will definitely have her checked out before firing.

 

[baboon]

My Africa hunting partner had an early Westly Richards shotgun that he found reproduction ammo for. I remember it wasn’ cheap, and was imported in.

 

[nathan.whynott]

Ouch ya I bet it was pretty expensive.

 

[baboon]

Ouch ya I bet it was pretty expensive.

Nothing like buying .500 Nitro Express for his double rifles

 

[Fishkiller]

My buddy up in Montana made some 2 1/2 inch shotgun shells from standard 2 3/4. Don't recall how he did it but you could PM him @mountainbull

 

[nathan.whynott]

My buddy up in Montana made some 2 1/2 inch shotgun shells from standard 2 3/4. Don't recall how he did it but you could PM him @mountainbull

Thanks Im not sure if I am going to keep it at the moment.