April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
(ca 1842) 28" Twist barrels are engraved "John Manton & Son Dover Street London" on broad slightly elevated rib. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with London black powder proofs and serial numbers. A rosewood ramrod with remnants of serial number on face of brass tip has brass tail with worm under cap is held in place by two plain pipes. Breech iron is scroll engraved at tail and has shore bird engraved toward front. Unusual Manton style locks with flash fences integral as was done in the flintlock era, are of front spring design, and are fitted with flat faced serpentine hammers. Instead of the usual tumbler screw used to retain hammers at this late date, Manton used an earlier style with hammers retained by a nut. Hammers have shrouded noses to retain bits of flying percussion cap. Lockplates are engraved with well cut large open acanthus scroll within small scroll borders surrounding game scenes; pheasant on left lock and black grouse on right. "JNo Manton & Son Patent" is on each lockplate. Trigger plate has traditional pineapple finial matching thimble. Blued trigger guard is engraved with dog on bow and pheasant on tang with serial number in small oval toward rear. Very dense crotch figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14 - 1/2" over steel buttplate with long top tang, engraved with scroll and birds. Point pattern checkering is at grip. A silver crest plate engraved with a stag and some illegible initials is at top of grip. Stock attaches to barrels with traditional sliding side bolt through oval silver escutcheons. This gun is listed in "The Manton Supplement" by W. Keith Neal and D. Back as being owned by S. H. Dickson USA. His name is stamped in inletting under right lock. CONDITION: Good, mostly original. Barrels retain most of their original brown with fine definition to pattern, with some cleaned blood spots and associated pitting at rear 5" from breeches. Locks retain a considerable amount (20 - 30%) original case hardening color. Trigger guard retains perhaps 30% original blue. Buttplate is mostly gray to brown with traces of blue on top tang. Stocks retain most of an old oil refinish with a considerable amount of marks and dings. Bores are fine, lightly frosted throughout. Locks are crisp. A fine old Manton gun, undoubtedly shootable. MGM 99.
Barrel Wall Thickness
(L) .033 (R) .033
Internal Bore Diameter
(L) .733 (R) .733
Manufacturer
John Manton & Son
Model
Percussion Side by Side