No. 11621 Completed: 1883 For: A.M. Cardwell Description: A hammerless non-ejector game gun Weight: 6lb. 3oz. Calibre: 12-bore Barrels: 28½in. Whitworth Choke: Plain & ‘Choke’ Stock: 14¼in. Notes: Sidelever Action with intercepting safeties

I showed this gun to my good friend Malcom McGreger as he is considered quite the expert on vintage Purdey's. He said this is the first one he as ever seen with a sidelever! The original makers case is really cool!

*Note the light weight at 6lbs. 2.5 oz.

Records show this gun was completed in 1901.

*For a longer length of pull the butt plate can be easily removed and replaced with a leather covered pad.

This LOP may be to long for some but we can easily arrange for a pad or checkered butt to your LOP.

*The engraving on this specific gun is exceptional and the wood is wonderful but also in wonderful condition for a gun built @ 1915.

*This lovely lady was born in 1896 . *see page 303 "Atkin, Grant, & Lang" by Don Masters.~

Normally this gun would be in the 6-8K range but due to some very minor surface pitting in places on the action (see the pictures, super minor) we can offer this beauty for only 4600.00. A super London high grade sidelock at almost a boxlock price. For the hunter that wants a high-quality gun that he or she is not afraid to take in the field this is a super opportunity.

After seeing my write up on this gun received this email from our famous hunting/naturalist gun writer friend concerning this gun:

Wow Kirby, What a beautiful gun. I love Lang guns. You forgot to mention in the write up that it is stocked to the fences, and has absolutely perfect chokes for a game gun. Cheers, George

Check out the London BEST rose and scroll engraving! Extra features include auto ejectors, a rolled trigger guard, and bushed firing pins, and single non selective trigger of the Boss patent which is noted on the trigger plate.

Generally excellent bores with some pitting at the end of the chamber where the forcing cone begins. Was obviously there when the gun was re nitro proofed in 1957. Can ship direct, pre 1899. No FFL needed.

This example, built in the mid 1880's has great wall thickness and choking and is tight on face and field ready. There is some very light pitting or hazing in the barrels but nothing of any consequence.

*Note the beautiful English walnut stock!

This gun features wonderful engraving and a Purdey style hidden third bite. Note the Long LOP extendable with a pad to near 16".

The triggers are a bit soft for my liking but useable. We could recommend a gunsmith to crispen them up if they are not to your liking.

This is a very nice example of an English sidelock. It is well balanced and feels great between the hands as any well made gun should.

I did not know much of this maker so I did some sleuthing on internet and actually found quite a lot:

Built between 1901 and 1905 by address's on rib William Atkinson was the son of Joseph Atkinson of Lancaster. He was born in 1851. By 1871 William had joined his father in the business in Lancaster, but in about 1874 he opened his own business at 52 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Westmoreland; in about 1878 this moved to 8 All Hallows Lane. There may have been a branch of the firm in Preston. In 1874 William and his wife (Eleanor b. 1850) had a son, Joseph Harvey Atkinson, and in 1876 another, Arthur Falder Atkinson (both born in Kendal), they both worked in the business as gunmaker's assistants, there were also had two daughters born in Kendal, Edith (b.1873) and Maud (b.1878) who appear to have worked in the business. In 1881 Joseph Atkinson retired and William took over the business in Lancaster re-naming it William Atkinson. In about 1885 the firm moved to 20 Market Street, between 1890 and 1901 they took over the adjoining premises at 18 Market Street. Between 1890 and 1894 the business in Kendal moved to 58 Highgate. Joseph Atkinson died in the late 1890s, and in 1900 the firm Lancaster business was re-named William Atkinson & Sons. By this time the firm had a substantial trade in bicycles. In about 1901 a branch was opened at 11 Skipton Street, Morecambe, Lancashire. This was probably run by one of the sons, it appears to have closed in about 1905. Between 1901 and 1905 the Kendal business became known as Atkinson & Griffin, it appears to have ceased trading in 1925. Between about 1905 and 1909 the firm in Lancaster occupied premises in North Road. In about 1935 the firm moved to 26 Market Street, Lancaster, but the Lancaster business appears to have closed in 1940. In 1955 Thomas Atkinson & Sons was recorded at 19a Stricklandgate, Kendal. Thomas Atkinson was certainly related, perhaps only distantly. The firm appears to have closed in about 1985.