James Lang & Co. Back Action Sidelock Double SxS Blue & Case Color 28″ Shotgun & Case 1891 Antique

SOLD FOR: $2,601.78
This gun was previously sold by Heritage Guns in the UK who provided a number of measurements. We will be providing both their measurements and our measurements. Please note, Heritage Guns are professionals with years of experience with antique and vintage British guns, we are comparatively just fools with tools. Where measurements differ, we would typically defer to Heritage, but you may wish to take your own measurements of the gun.

LSB#: 190425MB02

Make: James Lang & Co

Model: Back Action Sidelock

Serial Number: 10536

Year of Manufacture: 1891

Caliber/Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells

Action Type: Back Action Sidelock Ejector, Dual Trigger With Cocking Indicators

Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “J. LANG & Co LIMITED. 18 BROOK STREET NEW BOND STREET, LONDON.” and with “1” behind a scribed line at the chambers. Each lockplate is marked “JAMES LANG”. The bottom tang is marked “10536”. Each lug of the water table has crown over “BV”, crown over “GP” and crown over “V” proofs with “EJECTOR” across the bridge between the two lugs. The barrel flats have two sets of proofs, one set from the original 2 1/2″ proofing and a newer 2 3/4″ (70mm) nitro smokeless proof. The newer proof set includes nominal bore diameters of 18.4mm (right) and 18.6mm (left). The forend lug is marked “18556”. The top of the forend is marked “10536” to each side of the iron. The gun has best foliate scroll & bouquet engraving with gold inlaid “SAFE” marking on the top tang. The safety switch is marked “1”.

Barrel Length: 28”

Choke: Heritage measured the right barrel’s constriction as 0.012″, identifying it as a recessed Improved Cylinder and the left as 0.014″, identifying it as a recessed Modified. We measured the right barrel’s constriction as 0.012″ which would typically be Improved Cylinder to Light Modified and the left as 0.008″ which would typically be Skeet to Improved Cylinder.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver colored bead at the muzzle on top of the solid rib.

Weight: 6 lb., 13.8 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered, highly figured walnut with Deeley-release splinter forend with steel tip, straight English grip, unmarked silver initial plate in the belly marked, straight comb and checkered black ebonite buttplate with a bump at the heel. The forend has only a couple of scattered minor compressions and handling marks. The buttstock has three hairline cracks at the rear edge of the right lockplate, one at the rear edge of the left lockplate and a very short, thin crack at the rear of the top tang with some scatttered light compressions, scuffs and handling marks. The buttplate has minor wear with sharp checkering, in about Fine condition. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-Fine condition. We measured LOP as 14 1/2″ and 13 5/8″ from the front of the triggers to the back of the buttplate, 14 1/8″ and 13 1/4″ to the back of the wood with drop at comb approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 1/8″ with the case about neutral. Heritage provided more measurements:

Pull to Heel: 14 5/8″; Pull to Bump: 14 3/4″; Pull to Centre: 14 3/4″; Pull to Toe: 15 1/8″; Drop at Comb: 1 9/16″; Drop at Face: 1 11/16″; Drop at Heel 2 1/4″; Cast at Comb: Negligible; Cast at Heel: 1/4″ (approximate)

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Professionally restored by Heritage Guns in the UK

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores. Heritage provided measurements of bore diameter 9″ from breech of 0.725″ (right) and 0.735″ (left) and minimum barrel wall thickness of 0.024″ (right) and 0.021″ (left). We had the same measurements with the exception of the left barrel’s minimum wall thickness which we measured at 0.015″.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The barrels have well defined damascus patterning with faint wear at edges. The receiver’s case coloring still has some visible figuring, strongest under the lever, with the coloring mostly evenly muted with infrequent and very light discoloration from oxidation. The markings are clear with good definition in the engraving. The screw heads are generally sharp with a few showing very light tool marks with strong slots. Overall, this shotgun is in about Excellent condition as refinished Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly includiing ejectors. The cocking indicators are on each sideplate with a line across them which goes parallel to the bore axis when the locks are not cocked, inclined to the bore axis when the locks are cocked. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. The triggers break crisply at about 4.5-5 lbs (Heritage measured 4 lbs front and 4 1/2 lbs rear). We have not fired this gun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a gold-colored canvas hard-sided luggage case with leather bolsters at the corner, English-style leather straps, red felt interior and fitted compartments for the barrel assembly, stocked receiver and various accessories (none included). The case has little to no wear, in Excellent condition.

Our Assessment: James Lang was the middle sone of famed London gunmaker Joseph Lang and managed the elder Lang’s company until it was sold in 1886 to Stephen Grant. He then went on to form his own gunmaking company, turning out fine guns such as this back action sidelock. Made in 1891, this gun has since been restored by Heritage Guns in the UK. It is in Excellent condition as restored with beautiful damascus patterns in its barrels and gorgeous best foliate scroll & bouquet engraving. Despite being nearly 130 years old, the gun is still beautiful, locks up tight and has mirror-bright bores. For collectors of British double guns, they don’t get much better than Lang, and this example also comes with an attractive luggage case for storage and transport. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This Antique shotgun can be transferred in CA. All cartridge firing guns, including C&R and Antique, must be DROSd at a California Firearms Dealer. This section does not apply to out of state residents.