Laws patent 2065 0f 1865 is reviewed on page 142-3 of The British Shotgun, Vol;1 This is a unique design for a breech loading shotgun. According to the authors Crudgington and Baker, they have never seen a gun built to this patent!I can confirm that at least one example exists.
The gun in question is in good condition.It is a hammer gun unique in appearance in that there is no obvious means to open the action[ie;no top lever,no under lever or any visible snap lock device] The gun is in fact opened by placing the hammers in seqence at half cock.
This particular gun is engraved on the rib;"The London Breech loading Armoury, 1 Pall Mall,London." in business from 1866-1868. The action is marked Laws patent.The serial number is 1000 which to me suggests a prototype or first off production gun.
Little is known of the brothers Joseph and Stephen Law except that a John Law is recorded as being in business in Wolverhampton ,Staffordshire from 1826-1833.There is also record of a Thomas Law Jnr; at 17 King Street, Castle Douglas,Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, cica 1900.
Is this a true one of a kind gun or do other examples exist ?Information on the Law brothers, the maker and any other example of Laws patent would be appreciated.
