Edward Lang was born in 1841, the youngest of the five sons of the famous Joseph Lang. He appears to have been appenticed to his father, but events suggest that he became a shopman and / or office manager, and this theory is supported by James Lang's later claim that he was "the only practical partner" in the firm.
In 1868 Joseph Lang died and reportedly, Joseph's widow, Hannah (stepmother to the sons) and James inherited the business.
Edward was recorded in the 1871 census living at 2 Lodge Place, Dorset Square, Regents Park. He was unmarried and described himself as a gun manufacturer.
In 1874 he married Amy Louisa Batty (formerly Davies b.1850 in Ealing), they lived at 2 Auckland Hill, Norwood, Surrey. It was in 1874 that the firm was re-named Joseph Lang & Son, the son being James. Edward may have been made a partner in the business in 1875, but this has not been confirmed and the name of the firm does not ever seem to have changed to Joseph Lang & Sons.
On 25 February 1876 James and Amy Louisa had twin sons, Sydney Galt Lang and Claude Danvers Lang.
It appears that Edward left the firm in about 1878 to open his own business at 88 Wigmore Street where he was recorded in 1880. He reportedly started his own business as an outworker, but also sold his own guns under the name "Lang" and this, later in the 1890s, became a matter of concern to Joseph Lang & Sons. A large proportion of Edward's guns were made by Charles Osborne & Co.
In 1880 Edward moved from 88 Wigmore Street to 89 Wigmore Street, premises previously occupied by Richard Jackson and Richard Ivorie, he may have bought their business. In 1880 a third son, Edward Davies Lang, was born.
In the 1881 census Edward and Amy Louisa, Sydney and Claude, and Amy's son by a previous marriage, Arthur John Batty (b.1871), were recorded living at 1 Ealing Terrace, Uxbridge Road, Ealing. This property was owned by Louisa Davies, Amy's mother, who also lived there with her sister and several grandchildren.
On 1 December 1885 a fourth son, Gordon Henry Davies Lang was born.
In the 1891 census Edward was recorded living at 89 Wigmore Street with his wife, Amy, her son Arthur J Batty (an apprentice engineer), Sydney, Gordon, a daughter named Dorothy (b.1885), his aunt and a nephew.
The firm was not recorded after 1891. The increased mechanisation of gun manufacture, which the larger trade manufacturers could afford, allowed them to undercut prices and forecast the end of the hand-crafted gun industry. It is worth noting that James Lang sold his business in 1893, and the old firm of Joseph Lang & Son was sold in December 1893 to P Webley & Sons.
In about 1900 the family moved to Ashley House, London Road, Berkshire. In the 1901 census Edward, Amy, Dorothy, Gordon, and his aunt were all recorded living there. Edward described himself as a gun maker working from home, his guns were still being made by Charles Osborne & Co.
Edward died on 16 July 1905, aged 64.
Pete
