Joseph Lang "Highest Quality" Sidelock Pair!

[Vikram]

Probably one of the finest pair of shotguns that I have stumbled upon. Epitome of subdued elegance and near perfection of the art of finest gun making. I found about this pair first in the Shooting Sportsman e-magazine.

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20805/lot/191/

A fine pair of 12-bore (2¾in) 'Highest Quality' sidelock ejector guns by Joseph Lang & Son, no. 15938/9
Toplevers, ribs and forend-tips numbered '1' and '2' in gold, the treble-grip action-bodies with key-detachable locks, side-clips and gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, the sides and under-sides of action-bodies engraved with pheasant, duck, woodcock and partridge, virtually full expertly renewed hardening-colour, well-figured stocks (possibly replacements) with engraved heel-and-toe plates, the chopper-lump barrels engraved 'Jospeh Lang & Son, 102 New Bond Street, London' with matt game-rib
Weight 6lb. 9oz. (No. 1) and 6lb. 10oz. (No. 2), 14½in. stocks, 28in. barrels, approx. ¼ & ½ (No. 1), ¼ & 3/8 choke (No. 2), 2¾in. chambers, London nitro proof
In their brass-mounted, oak and leather guncase
Footnotes:
The makers have kindly confirmed that the guns were completed in 1920. They are described as 12-bore 'Highest Quality' hammerless ejectors with key detachable locks. The engraving appears to have been executed by the world famous Harry Kell

Sold for £25,000 inc. premium

The pair were sold for £24,000. A fraction of what could/would a pair of H&H or Purdey or Boss would cost today. An easy £200,000! Someone got a bargain and now a proud owner of these very fine guns.

Best-
Vikram

[timmy]

Wow! Those certainly are something. I would guess that these would be a real delight to shoot, but fear I would be too uncultured to appreciate it fully! Beautiful guns, Vikram. Thanks for sharing!

[Grumpy]

An extraordinary pair - absolutely beautiful.
Chiselled fences, side clips, removable locks, a little gold inlay, well-figured stocks, very unusual game scene and scroll engraving with three ( could be considered four ) vignettes either side ( and probably at least one more underneath, ) in superb condition with almost all the colour case hardening retained and a true pair by a top London maker. For £25k someone got a wonderful bargain.
Amazing to think that they are 93 years old !

[ckkalyan]

Many thanks for sharing Vikram

What a piece of art, pride in workmanship!

It is interesting how important the placement of the seemingly insignificant zero becomes when one must, but Dr0000000000l over such a masterpiece

[Ramandeep]

A very beautiful pair indeed and definitely in an absolute immaculate condition and considering the price it definitely seems a bargain. In India one can only drool for weapons like these but somehow I feel people in India are not that fond of shotguns as they are of rifles and handguns. That is one of the reasons one can understand the price of a 12 bore shotgun are not as high in India as the price of handgun which is always aiming the sky and swelling atleast 15-20% a year. Some good shotguns here in India don't fetch the same price as compared to the same one being sold in other countries. The only shotguns whose appreciated value is generally high in India are mostly pump action and O/U, somehow I feel the SXS generally fail to make the same vibration to a buyer in India like a handgun or a rifle does. The market for expensive shotgun in India is minimalist. Thank you Vikram for sharing the pictures of the beautiful pair. The best part I liked they being numbered 1 & 2.


Raman

[Amit357]

NOW THIS IS----------- Pristine Condition,any Dealers reading.Ramandeep there is still a very big market for High Quality/Best Guns,SxS too,the problem is that most are ripp offs and the price which is asked is higher then what is quoted in Scotland Auctions,there was a Purdey here for sale i think,when someone commented on the Sr.No.the post was withdrawn.Best Amit

[Vikram]

Glad you gents liked the guns. They are a gorgeous pair. Nearly hundred years old and ready to go another hundred years.


Best-
Vikram

[Ramandeep]

NOW THIS IS----------- Pristine Condition,any Dealers reading.Ramandeep there is still a very big market for High Quality/Best Guns,SxS too,the problem is that most are ripp offs and the price which is asked is higher then what is quoted in Scotland Auctions,there was a Purdey here for sale i think,when someone commented on the Sr.No.the post was withdrawn.Best Amit

Amit ji I really doubt there is a big market for high end shotguns in India if you take into consideration the number of licensees having a shotgun license and willing to buy an expensive one, even those who can easily afford a shotgun say about around the territory of 10L INR would shy away but for a handgun they would rather be ready to pay as much as 20L. Being loaded with money and having a good taste is sweet combination which I've seen come very rare, indeed God has a sense of humour makes sure to devoid us mortals from one of the virtues.

Chances of winning a lottery is more than randomly coming across H&H or Purdey at a gun dealer in India. If one really wants exclusive and exquisite shotgun then one has to pursue real hard for it and if one finds it with an owner then I don't know may be one has to offer a ridiculous high price to buy. On the other hand a decent SXS foreign made shotgun should be available at 60k-2L INR.


Raman

[Vikram]

Raman,

To a point you are correct about shotgun prices. However, the Best gun market does not take place at the dealers most of the time. There are still many guns in great condition that are sold privately through personal networks. I know of a sidelock that was sold for Rs.15 lakhs! And it wasn't a London gun.

Best-
Vikram

[ARAE]

Probably one of the finest pair of shotguns that I have stumbled upon. Epitome of subdued elegance and near perfection of the art of finest gun making. I found about this pair first in the Shooting Sportsman e-magazine.

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20805/lot/191/

A fine pair of 12-bore (2¾in) 'Highest Quality' sidelock ejector guns by Joseph Lang & Son, no. 15938/9
Toplevers, ribs and forend-tips numbered '1' and '2' in gold, the treble-grip action-bodies with key-detachable locks, side-clips and gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, the sides and under-sides of action-bodies engraved with pheasant, duck, woodcock and partridge, virtually full expertly renewed hardening-colour, well-figured stocks (possibly replacements) with engraved heel-and-toe plates, the chopper-lump barrels engraved 'Jospeh Lang & Son, 102 New Bond Street, London' with matt game-rib
Weight 6lb. 9oz. (No. 1) and 6lb. 10oz. (No. 2), 14½in. stocks, 28in. barrels, approx. ¼ & ½ (No. 1), ¼ & 3/8 choke (No. 2), 2¾in. chambers, London nitro proof
In their brass-mounted, oak and leather guncase
Footnotes:
The makers have kindly confirmed that the guns were completed in 1920. They are described as 12-bore 'Highest Quality' hammerless ejectors with key detachable locks. The engraving appears to have been executed by the world famous Harry Kell

Sold for £25,000 inc. premium

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The pair were sold for £24,000. A fraction of what could/would a pair of H&H or Purdey or Boss would cost today. An easy £200,000! Someone got a bargain and now a proud owner of these very fine guns.

Best-
Vikram

[brihacharan]

A magnificent pair worth a King's Ransom
Thanks Vikram for sharing!
BTW - Grumpy's observation & description is much appreciated.
Briha

[Amit357]

Raman,

To a point you are correct about shotgun prices. However, the Best gun market does not take place at the dealers most of the time. There are still many guns in great condition that are sold privately through personal networks. I know of a sidelock that was sold for Rs.15 lakhs! And it wasn't a London gun.

Best-
Vikram

+1,Raman there are people who buy an IOF 22 Cal Revolver and that too 2nd hand,then there are the one who are willing to spend 45 Lakhs for a Desert Eagle,22 lakhs for a S/W in the 357,the majority of 12 bore buyers are guys who buy the hockey stocks{ excuse me not for using the all familiar BUTT},then there are the ones who are willing to travel anywhere in India to just have a feel of the old London Best Guns,as Vikram pointed out you wont see these with dealers,you will see them in place with Exotic names like Rani Ka Bagg,in some old cities/towns,with cranky old buggers,whose grand children are waiting for them to cop it so that they can sell it of to some one and buy a BMW or Audi.

[Sakobav]

Wow what a steal nice Vikram...DOnt believe they are 100 years old

[sa_ali]

If date wasnt mentioned i wouldnt have believed that they are 100yr old, that age is statement of high quality of craftsmanship in all areas on that pair of beauties.

I drolled over this one and the greener post, they made my day. thanks for posting them bro

[BowMan]

Sighhhh!!!! The mods been uploading some porn lately...