VON LENGERKE & DETMOLD KNOCKABOUT 12GAUGE SHOTGUN

Von Lengerke & Detmold Knockabout 12GA: A Legacy of Gilded Age Sport

This magnificent shotgun came to us from  the estate of a prominent Phoenix area businessman, and had been sitting in his safe for over 30 years.

The Von Lengerke & Detmold Knockabout is a breathtaking window into the golden era of American sporting history. Founded in New York in 1882, VL&D was the premier luxury outfitter for elite outdoorsmen, eventually becoming the exclusive venue where Abercrombie & Fitch sourced their finest firearms. The Knockabout model was their signature offering, custom-built by legendary European makers like Francotte to meet the exacting standards of wealthy American wingshooters who demanded a robust yet elegant field gun for weekend upland hunts.

This classic double-barrel 12-gauge features a boxlock action, exquisite fluid steel barrels, and a fine walnut stock adorned with hand-cut checkering. The primary benefit of owning this shotgun is the opportunity to experience the sublime balance and swing that only a vintage, hand-fitted side-by-side can deliver.

In any collection, the VL&D Knockabout serves as a prestigious historical cornerstone. Its graceful, streamlined receiver, vibrant case-hardened patina, and rich wood tones provide an aesthetic of understated luxury. For the collector of fine pre-war firearms, this 12-gauge is a functional work of art that elegantly preserves the romance of turn-of-the-century sporting tradition.