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JOSEPH LANG 12 GA. PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE, THE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
JOSEPH LANG 12 GA. PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE, THE
EARLIEST GUN RECORDED IN FACTORY RECORDS IN HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION W/ ORIGINAL MAHOGANY CASE & FINE ACCESSORIES. Cal. 12 Ga. S# 979. Bbls. 30". Surviving records at Joseph Lang start in 1858 at S# 2085. Earlier guns are mentioned in the records, probably added when the weapons came in for inspection or work. This rifle, #979 is the earliest by far. The next number recorded after this is 1565. This is a 12 bore dbl. rifle (groove diameter .775) w/ 10 groove rifling w/ 1 turn in approx. 50" for rnd. ball. 30" Twist bbls. are engraved "JOSEPH LANG, HAYMARKET LONDON" on rib fitted w/ 1 standing 2 folding leaf V-notch rear sight marked for 50, 150, & 200 yds. A silver bead front sight is also dovetailed through. Bottoms of bbls. are stamped w/ London black powder proofs for 13 bore, S#, & bbl. forgers initials "TP". Original brass tipped ebony ramrod is held by 2 plain pipes, rear w/ sling eye. Patent breeches are nicely filed & engraved w/ shell on rib extension & are fitted w/ vented platinum plugs. Breech iron w/ integral fences is very nicely engraved w/ swags of shaded scroll. Case hardened front spring locks w/ back sliding safeties are fitted w/ serpentine hammers filed similar to those by Thomas Mortimer & later, Alexander Henry. Locks & hammers are engraved in very well cut large open scroll. "Joseph Lang" is in arched device on each lockplate & hammers have stylized dolphin heads. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial scroll engraved to match thimble. Blued trigger guard has more open scroll on bow & grip is formed by checkered spur. S# is at rear on tang behind spur. Stock of dense stump figured & nicely streaked European walnut measures 14 1/8" over blued steel buttplate w/ more scroll engraving on long top tang. Stock features a very nicely carved double shadow line right hand cheekpiece w/ ogee transition from face to stock. Squarish checkering w/ mullered borders is at grip. There is an oval silver escutcheon at top grip. A sling retaining button is on toeline. Stock attaches to bbls. w/ sliding captive bolt through engraved oval steel escutcheons. WEIGHT: 9 lbs. 3 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in its original figured mahogany case w/ brass D ring handle & dual brass hook closure. Case is lined in green cloth & has blue printed paper Lang label in lid. Accessories include a steel rnd. ball mold marked "No. 10" casting a .775 diameter ball by Davis, sm. leather covered "Sykes Patent" powder flask w/ brass top throwing a charge of up to 2 3/4 g, rosewood handled nipple wrench, walnut handled turnscrew along w/ brass jag & pointed bullet starter of brass that fit tapped hole in the end of ramrod. Also included is a sm. brass screw which will plug this hole. There is also a tin of Eley Bros. percussion caps. CONDITION: very fine as partially refinished, most likely by the factory when gun was entered into the ledger. Bbls. retaining over 90% of their correct brown refinish w/ good definition to pattern over some scattered dark stains. Breech iron & locks retain over 80% of their original case hardening color w/ some scattered brown stains. Trigger guard retains nearly all of a reblue also probably done by Lang's. Buttplate retains approx. 70% of its original bright charcoal blue w/ some brown stains on edges. The staining on this rifle appears to have happened all at the same time & is most likely the reason for refinishing of bbls. & trigger guard. Stock finish, virtually unaltered since the rifle was made, is very dry w/ slightly raised grain, some scattered stains & some minor marks, the exception being a 1/2" long ding on right side of butt. Bores are very fine, bright & shiny w/ a few scattered pits toward muzzles. Locks are crisp. Exterior of case retains most of what appears to be its original varnish, folding part of D-ring handle is missing & brass is considerably tarnished to green. Hooks & key escutcheon are still relatively bright. Lock & keeper are intact, interior cloth is good w/ some mildew, rubs & soiling. Label is still relatively bright w/ light brown foxing, a few scattered stains & a couple of rubs. 1 Rub goes through to cloth, corresponding to hammer screw. Interior partitions are good, a bit loose but have never been moved. Bullet mold is still relatively bright w/ heat discoloration at ball cavity. Flask has some scuffs in leather & cleaning of brass. Other accessories are very good. These heavier rifles, 12 bore & up, are seldom found in fine condition as many were used in the far regions of the British empire. A very interesting rifle made by James Purdey's son in law. (01-18140/MGM23). ANTIQUE. $5,000-9,000.