Great great grandfather William Frank Laws was a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters when he was in England. You paid a subscription to belong and if you fell on hard times they would be able to help you. In November 1867 just before he was to leave for Australia they presented him with the gun.
A family story says he carried it with him and slept with it close by while out contracting all over Queensland..
After William died it was passed down the Langham line and was with Michael until recently. He asked me to find a Laws family that would like it. He kindly offered it to a Laws family member as he had no one to leave it to. Now it is with another Michael but this time a Michael Laws.
The Langham men had been keen shooting sportsmen so have kept the gun in good order and managed to add shot and powder pouches, shot moulds, cleaning brushes, wads for the gun and a leather bag to carry the accessories. There is also a letter from the Police to identify the gun as not needing a licence as it was made before 1901. This was kindly done by Michael to ensure I would not have any trouble while I was transporting it.
It is so lovely to be able to hand it on to a family line where there are more Laws men to be able to be custodians of this special gun.
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