flippermaj Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Hi there, my grandfathers gun is a Joseph Lang box lock. Is there any way of finding out when and who it was made for, serial number is 13633 Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 The number doesn`t fit Joseph Lang`s numbering ! What is the title & address on the rib ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippermaj Posted November 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Hi, the address on the rib is 109 ( I think) New Bond Street London. It's definitely serial no 13633. Joseph Lang and son. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 That title was used from 1898 until they were bought out by Stephen Grant & Son Ltd in 1925.The last number I have is 9100 in 1900. This is from Richard Akehurst`s book. They would end up under the `Atkin ,Grant & Lang ` title of later years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 The address should probably read 102 New Bond Street. The date would be between 1901 and 1905, probably towards the latter end of the period. The book I have (Atkin, Grant & Lang by Don Masters) says "some of the Lang and Hussey unsold guns had the name removed and were re-engraved and re-numbered". What I can't answer is this; many of the London (and Dickson's in Edinburgh) gunmakers made high grade sidelock guns in London (often by 'outworkers'), but sold a range of guns - which were engraved and finished in London, but made in (usually) Birmingham. These varied from quite plain to highly finished. Many "London" signed boxlocks were produced this way. They are usually good sound quality. Some bear London proof marks, some Birmingham proof marks. There are often other marks that identify the actual makers who are good makers under their own names. Skimin & Wood, Westley Richards, W&C Scott all built 'for the trade' I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 (edited) Interesting about the unsold stuff being `re-badged` ! Good business sense .I suppose the name engraved on them was only ever a selling title . At least they were made in the UK unlike a lot of the tat being sold nowadays under once esteemed banners ! Edited November 21, 2015 by matone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 Most likely the gun was made by Webley as were many guns sold by Lang ,Does it have a "screw gripnut" top lever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twistedsanity Posted November 22, 2015 Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 You could always phone the AGL shooting grounds and ask them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippermaj Posted November 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 I am not too sure what you mean about the screw grip nut top lever. The top lever is held in place by one large engraved screw which in turn has a smaller engraved screw over lapping it. I have emailed Langston for some info. Thanks to all who have replied to my post. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJsDad Posted November 22, 2015 Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 Joseph Lang & Son are shown as being at 102 Bond Street between 1901 till 1925 when they were listed under the Lang & Hussey business.* The Lang & Hussey Serial Numbers show gun number 13,628 for 1904, so your gun 13,633 would be early 1904.* As others have noted already, they went through various changes in name & premises and survive to-day under the Atkin, Grant & Lang name. *Source: British Gunmakers Vol 1 - London by Nigel Brown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted November 22, 2015 Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 I am not too sure what you mean about the screw grip nut top lever. The top lever is held in place by one large engraved screw which in turn has a smaller engraved screw over lapping it. I have emailed Langston for some info. Thanks to all who have replied to my post. Cheers If the gun has a barrel extension either as a straight finger or dolls head , can you see a screw thread in the action body on the leaver boss . ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippermaj Posted November 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 Hi Gunman, You have lost me completely! I will try and get some pictures posted by mid week. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippermaj Posted December 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 Here is a photo of the top lever, does that help identify the gun? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Defiantly made in the Webley and Scott factory in Birmingham . Almost certain it was delivered as a finished gun to Lang's spec ie. barrel length , stock dimensions and action style .Whether it was made to customer order or just as a stock gun only Lang records will show but it looks a fairly standard mid range gun that they would have had in the shop as Lang would have sold mainly guns with his name and some second hand guns by others . No Miroku's, Beretta's or AyA's in those days ! The number could be a Webley number or one Lang used for bought in guns . W&S made a lot of guns for Lang both shot guns and double rifles as they did for Wm. Evans , Army &Navy, Grant and many others . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flippermaj Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Thank you Gunman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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