GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
SPECTACULAR PAIR OF CASED JOSEPH MANTON FLINTLOCK DUELING PISTOLS.J MANTONDUELERS638150(Ca. 1814) Cal. .500. This fine pair of pistols is listed in "The Manton's Gunmakers" by Neal and Black, on page 255, and notes that they were from the Cooper Collection. They have 10" octagonal twist bbls with secret "hair" rifling. Inset patent breeches have platinum touch holes, band at rear, and poincon embossed "Joseph Manton Patent". Beautifully filed locks with waterproof pans and rear mounted sliding safeties are engraved "Joseph Manton London" and have feathered borders, and some scroll. Cocks have stylized flower engraving and scroll. Bridled small roller frizzens are engraved "Joseph Manton Patent" with nos. "8571" and "8572" at tips. Trigger plates have pineapple finials. Trigger guards have Stand of Arms engraving on bow, with SN in ovals. Slightly figured European walnut stocks with rounded butts have engraved steel butt caps, and wrap-around flat top checkering with mullered borders. There are vacant rectangular crest plates at top of grips. Stocks also have horn tips, and blued steel nicely filed thimbles. Bbls attach to stocks with side nails through oval silver escutcheons. Greenheart ramrods have horn tips. Mahogany case has "D-Ring" brass handle with key lock. Interior is lined with green baize, with Joseph Manton label with Davies Street address. Accessories include a steel 40 bore mold and the business end of a loading mallet. CONDITION: Excellent. Both pistols retain most all of their original finish, with pistol with frizzen no. 8572, being a bit better than the other. Bbls retain virtually all of their twist brown pattern. Gun with frizzen no. 8571 having 3 or 4 small spots where discoloration has been removed. This gun also shows a bit more wear on stock, and some minor pinprick pitting on lockplate. Pistols retain almost all of their original bright blue on thimble, trigger plate, trigger guard, and grip cap. Breech plug, iron, and all lock parts retain almost all of their original case color. Bores are excellent. Locks are crisp. Case is very good with shellac added to exterior, which has numerous scuffs and marks. Handle is stuck in place. Area in front of lock mortise has a repair. Interior cloth is good. Label is good, turning brown with a couple of holes worn through from contact with guns. 52700-56 MGM133 (30,000-40,000)