James Laing 12 bore

[Kevin Peacocke]

Can anyone please give us a resume on this shotgun and what it may be worth? It is in Harare, belonging to our young learner PH. He would like to sell it to fund a 500.

 

[rookhawk]

James Lang was a relative of Joseph Lang (brother?) that also made guns. James Lang is not the same as saying "I have a Lang per se". James Lang's guns are of a lower quality than Joseph Lang's arms and they were not produced for as long a period of time. (e.g. Joseph Lang brought the breach loader to the British market, his firm invented the 470NE, his successors are still in business today as Atkin, Grant & Lang)

As to quality and value, the shotgun appears to be a base model 12 bore hammergun. Its black powder proofed with Damascus barrels and of course 2.5" chambers. It's overall condition is poor.

Value depending on wall thickness, chokes, and a closer inspection would be $500-$1200 if it is not broken and not pitted. It could very well be worthless as well if off face, heavily pitted, or if the walls have been honed down to conceal wear.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Rookhawk has saved me a lot of money when I was shopping for a nice British shotgun. There are SO many pitfalls to buying a nice British shotgun. There are more counterfeits than bargains.

If you’re in the market Do yourself a favor (if he’s willing) and pay Rookhawk a little fee to help you vette a purchase. It will save you a lot of time and money.

Here is an example. I was looking at a between the wars British 12 bore. He quickly dismissed it as an imposter or counterfeit. Then gave me a short list of prospects. After the purchase. Before the 3 day grace period expired. He suggested sending it to an expert to have it inspected and a recoil pad change. If it didn’t pass I’m out an approximately $150 instead of owning a $5k piece of crap.