October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
This interesting rifle has 24-1/2" dovetailed bbls with full length matted rib holding one standing, four folding leaf and ladder express rear sight graduated from 100 through 1000 yards, and silver bead front sight with flip-up moon bead longitudinally dovetailed into raised front portion of rib. Tops of bbls are engraved “Manton & Co Gunmakers” “Calcutta & Delhi”. There are 1-1/4" triangles of small scroll at breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped with German imperial nitro proofs for 7.8 mm with case length of 54 mm, and a date of proof of March 1925, along with 1987 London nitro proofs (possibly spurious). Bottoms of bbls are engraved “No 30138” and “CAL 32/40". A sling loop is screwed to bottom rib. Ogee backed boxlock action features automatic tang safety, crossbolt third fastener, and dbl triggers (front articulated). Action is engraved with near full coverage small scroll with floral bouquet accents. Fences are deep relief engraved in well done acorn and oak leaf motif. Blued top lever has relief scroll engraved thumbpiece. Trigger guard with scroll on bow, has SN on short tang. Well marbled and lightly figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/4" over checkered wood butt with engraved steel heel and toe plates. Stock features drop points, point pattern checkering at grip, and a vacant silver oval along with a sling loop on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend with inset schnabeled horn tip, has Deeley release.Weight: 7 lbs. 11 oz. Rifle is housed in an old leather case (most likely original) which appears to be of German origin. It has brass corners and a central brass rectangle on top deeply engraved “JOHN D. ROLLINS; Esq.” “LUDHIANA, INDIA”. Interior is lined in purple cloth and has reproduction Manton & Co label in lid. Rifle fits case very well, with bbls fitting almost exactly, and contains a Manton & Co marked round oil bottle, 2 unprimed cartridge cases, and case straps. CONDITION: Good, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a well done re-black. Action with traces of orig french grey where protected, is mostly gray to brown. Top lever, floorplate and trigger guard re-blued, and retain nearly all of that blue. What is possibly a new buttstock, retains nearly all of what looks to be its orig finish, checkering with light wear. Forend refinished to match, checkering competently re-cut. Bores are very good to fine, lightly pitted throughout, rifling somewhat worn. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Case leather is dark with scuffs and rubs. Some edges broken away. Interior cloth is renewed. It is known that Manton and Co imported many rifles from Germany in their later years, mostly for sale through their Calcutta office. This is most likely one of those rifles. Unfortunately records do not exist. MGM141
Item Dimensions: 26 - 1/4 x 9 - 1/4 x 3 - 1/4"
Drop at Comb
approx 1-5/8"
Drop at Heel
approx 2 - 15/16"