Old Double Barrel Lane No. Mark Leamington

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Bart212

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Hi,

I think that I started a post about this piece some time ago but cant find it now, but anyway here we go.
I have an old Double Barrel (Damascus) shotgun. The Trigger Housings say 'JNo. Lane' on them, the lever to release the break is under the trigger guard and has nice carvings on the steel. Unfortunatly the stock was shattered once and taken off and I need to replace it. The text between the barrels say Lane No. Mark Leamington Here's some pics:

DSC00527.jpg

DSC00526.jpg

DSC00521.jpg


I was wondering what I'd have to do to get a new stock for it (I'm in SW Ontario).
There's also a few minor dents in one Barrel. What can I do about them?
What's the History on this piece?
Oh and the rear trigger is broken, and I need a new one.
I'd also like to get a new foregrip built for it.

Thanks
 
Bart212, I believe that what you have is the work of Jonathan Lane, gunmaker in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England circa 1870. He also made revolvers under the Trantor patent.

There are no parts available for a gun such as this, no two were exactly the same. Parts have to be made. To have a new stock made would be expensive, inlaying the sidelocks takes time and skill. By the time you made and fitted a stock and fore end, made or adapted a trigger, brought the gun back on face and removed the barrel dents you would be spending more than what the finished gun is worth. This is assuming that the barrels are not pitted beyond use in the first place. There would have to be substantial sentimental value in the piece to warrant the project. It was a nice gun, the engraving is beautiful.

Sharptail
 
The above term"on face" is meant to determine if gun is tight between barrel and receiver(barrel lockup)....to determine; take barrels in one hand and stock in the other and twist. You are looking for movement of barrels/lockup independent from the action. I don't know if I explained this well, but it's very simple and something I do without thinking whenever i pick up a double I'm not familiar with.
 
I would echo the words of Sharptail except to modify it to say the only economic way of restocking the gun is to make the stock yourself from a plank (of walnut). The biggest issue is to check the inside of the barrels for pitting; mild pitting is not a problem but if you have deep pits, the gun is not worth restoring. In my experience at least, dents would have to be pretty deep to open up the welds in the damascus.

cheers mooncoon
 
Thanks everyone for your input I greatly appreciate it. Yes the dents are minor I believe there's 4 small dents spaced about 1.25" away from one another near the end of one of the barrels the total area of the dents is probably equivalent to a nickle that dent into the barrels not out and if I remember correctly the barrels do lock up tight to the receiver.

Next question: If I'd like to get nastalgic (spelling?) what type of shells would I want to fire out of these Damascus Barrels?

Use a full brass shell or new production with some black powder?

Added: If I wanted to what kind of take off stock could I use for a starter? I was thinking an Enfield stock might work.

Thanks again
 
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Measure the length of the chambers. Metal or other shells could be loaded. In addition to shells of the correct length, you would need suitable wads. Assuming the gun is sound and shootable, I would use black or one of the black substitutes.
As mentionned, the cost of professional restoration would likely be greater than the value of the gun. Making new stocks would be a serious undertaking, but certainly not impossible.
Lifting dents isn't a big deal.
 
Have a look at pages 17 and 19 in the photos of antiques in this section for some pictures of shotgun stocks. Your gun originally had a straight stock ie no pistol grip. If you are feeling confident buy a piece of walnut a full 2" thick and go from there. If you feel you need practice make a practice stock out of fir then go to walnut.
I would also suggest making up a 1/4" or 3/8" plywood template and duct taping it in place as a try stock to get the drop and length correct. You will probably find the stock should be roughly 14 1/2" from the butt to the front trigger.

cheers mooncoon
 
mooncoon said:
Have a look at pages 17 and 19 in the photos of antiques in this section for some pictures of shotgun stocks. Your gun originally had a straight stock ie no pistol grip. If you are feeling confident buy a piece of walnut a full 2" thick and go from there. If you feel you need practice make a practice stock out of fir then go to walnut.
I would also suggest making up a 1/4" or 3/8" plywood template and duct taping it in place as a try stock to get the drop and length correct. You will probably find the stock should be roughly 14 1/2" from the butt to the front trigger.

cheers mooncoon
Click to expand...

Thanks mooncoon, the pic that you posted at the bottom of page 17 is probably the one I'm looking for.
 
If you are feeling confident buy a piece of walnut a full 2" thick and go from there. If you feel you need practice make a practice stock out of fir then go to walnut.



Just don't shoot the gun with the fir stock because there will be very little wood between those locks hence very little strength. With any side lock it is very important to remove only the needed wood to allow the locks to fit and operate and the tangs must be fitted perfectly and be tight or your stock will crack through the head in only a few shots.
Regards
 
Bart, that is a beauty!

I found many British makers named Lane, but the following is the only one with a Leamington address, and your gun does not appear old enough to match the time frame indicated.

Name Thomas Lane
Other Names John Lane
Address 1 Tavistock Street

City/Town Leamington
County Warwickshire
State/Region/Province
Country United Kingdom
Trade Gunmaker
Other Address
Dates 1850-1870
Notes
The business of Thomas Lane was established in 1850 at 1 Tavistock Street. John Lane (son?) appears to have taken over the business between 1861 and 1864. He appears to have closed in 1870.

If you could dissassemble the gun and post photos of the water table, and barrel flats (the flat pieces of the gun that touch when assembled), I may beable to tell you more.

Where in SW Ontario are you? I have the tools to measure bore, chambers and wall thickness.

Mark
 
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