doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Lang underlever?

Appears to be a non-rebounder, ie half-cock,full-cock.Looks like the hammers are down on the firing pins? Nice gun.

I am puzzled by the apparent lack of proof marks (bore size, chamber length, service load etc) on the barrel flats - or is this just a trick from the light used in the photography?

I agree with OWD that this is not a Jones Underlever. The operating lever is like that of the Jones but this appears to be a single bite locking lug while the Jones patent screw grip was for double opposing bite locking lugs.

You can see the two bites in this photo of my Lang:



Your gun should be fall between 1870 and 1875 - my Lang s/n 32XX letters to March 6, 1866. Don Masters book "Atkin, Grant & Lang" lists serial number groups as follows:

1865 - #2882
1870 - #3851
1875 - #5125

Don Masters lists 1875 as the year when the name was changed from Joseph Lang to Joseph Lang & Sons.

I don't know the current cost but you can get a letter from AG&L by writing or emailing Francis Lovel the current owner.

Atkin, Grant & Lang
Windmill Road, Markyate, St Albans,
Hertfordshire AL3 8BP, England

francis@atkingrantandlang.com

www.atkingrantandlang.com

Tel +44 (0)1993 864 949
Fax +44 (0)7812 375 781

The proof marks are on the barrel tubes. I see the gauge, provisional, view mark and definitive proof marks on each tube.

I would also expect service load and chamber length. Perhaps they were not always included, but I thought they were a requirement?

Here are more pics of the lumps and watertable.

OK. I was wrong. That's a Jones. The first pics and the patent stamp confused me.

Thanks for the additional pics.

OWD

Joe, this is what IGC has on WH Wilson:

Name William Henry Wilson
Other Names Wilson's Gun & Pistol Warehouse; W H Wilson & Elizabeth Wilson
Address1 1 Vigo Lane, Sackville Street (2 Vigo Lane, Sackville Street)
City/Town London
Country United Kingdom
Trade Goldsmith, Silver Plater & Dealer in Guns
Other Address
Dates 1805-1829
Notes

William Henry Wilson (son of William Wilson of 154 Minories, grandson of Richard Wilson of The Fowler, Minories, and brother of Alexander Wilson?) appears to have established Wilson's Gun and Pistol Warehouse at 1 Vigo Lane, Sackville Street in 1805. The property seems to have been divided in two shops because from 1808 he also traded at this address as W H Wilson, goldsmith, silver plater and dealer in guns; it appears he inlaid guns with gold and silver plated furniture both for himself and others. In 1821 the gun and pistol business at 1 Vigo Lane was renamed W H Wilson & Elizabeth Wilson, gun makers (sister/wife?) and they traded as such until 1825 when Joseph Lang bought the stock and Alexander Wilson, who had been trading from Sherrard Street, took over the premises. Joseph Lang may well have been apprenticed to W H Wilson, Alexander Wilson, or his father. The gold and silver plate side of the business was moved to 2 Vigo Lane and Elizabeth Wilson seems to have dropped out of the picture. W H Wilson closed in 1829 as did Alexander Wilson. (The shop at 1 Vigo Lane and part of 2 Vigo Lane was occupied by James Collins from 1925 to 1832 when he moved to Regent Street).

Tim

Yes, it is a Jones - the first picture was deceiving in it's lack of full detail.

According to Dig's book "Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot" the chamber marking came in 1887 and the service load in 1896. This gun predates both. It has the same markings as the original for my 1866 gun which was reproofed in 1990 and and also carries the new marks. The marks on my gun are on the action flats.