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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 997 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 997 Likes: 7 |
I went out to shoot a round of trap at lunch time with a couple of team members today. One of our team members is a female novice, who doesn't have a shotgun, so she's been renting one from the club each time she shoots
After shooting, she mentioned that her dad had sent her one to try out. I asked her what he had sent her. Her reply was "one of those ones where the barrels are like this" and with her fingers made two circles side by side.
At that point I asked if I could see it. "It's just an old shotgun." she replied. She pulled a nice softside leather case from the vehicle, which I complimented her on. Again, her reply was "My dad said don't lose the case it's more valuable than the shotgun."
I didn't have much time before getting back to work to look it over well, but she pulled out a Von Lengerke & Detmold 12 ga. 5 pin sidelock with Krupp steel, dolls head. I'd say overall, from my brief look, about 95-96%. It had "Knock About" stamped on it.
That was about all the information I gleened from the cursory look I had. Was this a Francotte gun?
I did mention that the gun was more valuable than the case. She indicated that she was going play around with it, to see if she could get comfortable shooting it.
Cameron Hughes
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,781
Member
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Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,781 |
I have seen sidelock J P Sauers with the "Knockabout" logo and boxlock Francottes from V L &D marked Knockabout .. MDC
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 302
Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 302 |
Either way, the gun is worth more than the softside case. Suggest that she shoot light loads and she'll probably enjoy it.
"I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it" - Capt. Woodrow Call
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 416
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 416 |
It's not a Francotte if it was a sidelock and said 'Knockabout' on it.
Always looking for small bore Francotte SxS shotguns.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
I have a J P Sauer & Son sidelock which has the Sauer name on one sideplate, & Von Lengerke & Detmold on the other plate. It has the Knock About on the rib or top of bbl, forget for sure which. It also has Krupp bbls & 2 3/4" chambers, marked 70 on the extractor face. This one has double underbolts & a Doll's Head, Deeley forend fastener. SN by the DGJ article dates it to ca 1900.
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,834 Likes: 127
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,834 Likes: 127 |
Had one myself. First quality double I owned. Sold it in an unexplainable act of stupidity. Straight grip, 26" barrels choked Cyl. and Mod. Wicked deadly on Partridge. Weighed a little over 6 lbs. VL&D Marked with "The Knockabout" marked on it.
Last edited by Brian; 02/21/07 11:05 PM.
Brian
LTC, USA Ret.
NRA Patron Member
AHFGCA Life Member
USPSA Life Member
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,679 Likes: 24
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,679 Likes: 24 |
My 16 ga Sauer sidelock has VL&D on one barrel and Krupp Steel on the other as I recall. Wonderful light, dimunitive gun under 6 lbs. mfd before 1912.
[IMG]
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 997 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 997 Likes: 7 |
My curiosity is up now. I'll have to ask her to bring it to the range next time we shoot, and spend a bit more time looking it over.
It was a very light, responsive gun. I mentioned to her that it would probably kick abit. I'll suggest she try light loads in it.
Cameron Hughes
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
They seem to have made these in assortment of types. Mine is a 12ga 30" weighing about 7½ lbs, choked full in both bbls. Most likely built as a waterfowl gun. Has a semi-pistol grip (POW) & a leather covered cheek piece. The leather has been torn & underneath is what appears to be cork which is inlet into the stock, not just set on top of it. I would not count on the lighter weight "Game Guns" having the 70mm chambers. Mine does not carry nitro proof marks, but this is the norm on pre 1912 guns due to Germany's rules of the era.
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,935
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,935 |
I have a VL&D catalog which shows the Knockabout.
Francotte action, Greener cross bolt, Nimrod steel barrels. 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 and .410 available.
The catalog lists this as the 'new' Knockabout, a boxlock, and mentions the old version, a sidelock, had less features.
$165 w/ extractors, or $200 with ejectors.
It also notes that no import gun can approach it at the price, and no American gun can match it for balance, model, and strength for weight.
Call me crazy, but I would have rather had the Parker CHE for $20 more. Or the Purdey sidelock with Whitworth barrels for 140 pounds. Or the fully engraved Purdey high power hammerless express double rifle for cordite in your choice of chambering for 143 pounds. Yes, a good old .470 NE Purdey double rifle would have been my choice over the Knockabout.
Cameron, if you want a copy of the catalog page let me know and I will email you a .pdf of it.
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