BY JOSEPH MANTON, DAVIES STREET, BERKELEY SQUARE, LONDON, NO. 8012 FOR 1816

Details

A Cased 15-Bore D.B. Patchlock Or Percussion Cap Sporting Gun
By Joseph Manton, Davies Street, Berkeley Square, London, No. 8012 for 1816
Converted from pellet-lock, with rebrowned twist barrels signed on the broad elevated rib 'Joseph Manton Davies Street Berkeley Square London Invenit Et Fecit By His Majesty's Patent', case-hardened patent breeches engraved at the centre and each with pierced platinum plug, nipples of very early type, finely engraved tang decorated with marine monsters and scrollwork, signed engraved case-hardened locks each with platinum-filled gravitating safety-stop, flat hammers each with detachable nose, figured walnut half-stock, chequered grip, engraved iron mounts decorated with scrollwork and martial trophies, trigger-plate with pineapple finial, silver escutcheon, and brass-mounted ramrod (some minor surface pitting): in lined and fitted mahogany case (lid scratched and chipped) with accessories including Sykes white metal powder-flask, and a box containing two pellet primer strikers and numerous patchlock strikers, the lid with trade label for circa 1810-12, flush-fitting carrying handle, and circular escutcheon, London proof marks
28½in. (72.4cm.) barrels

Literature

W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, The Mantons: Gunmakers, p. 263, plates 94, 95, and colour plate 8
D.H.L. Back, The Mantons 1782-1878, p. 112, plates 94a, b and 95

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

Sold with a typewritten note signed by the late owner: 'I bought this gun from Fred Elson of Christmas Steps, Bristol, in 1932. It came from the collection of Dr. Aitken of Taunton. It is the closest survival of the true pellet lock gun of Joseph Manton's patent of 1816 existing so far as I am aware...it is such an early conversion that the nipples have not yet taken the form of a square base...I believe this to be Joe Manton's work and his very first form of nipple...I have fired this gun many times using these original nipples'

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