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John Manton O/U Pistol
[Text discription below]
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70055
An Exceptional Condition O/U Flintlock Pistol by John Manton:
English 1803. SN 4203. 24 Bore (14.70 mm) 0.579 cal. This pistol is 14 in. in overall length. The barrel group consists of two 8.125 in. octagonal, twist barrels fused together. “Manton - London” is inlaid in gold on the top flat along with a single gold line at the breech (1,2,3). Both barrels with gold vents, and displaying an exceptional English browned finish. The top barrel has an embedded silver foresight. The tang, incorporates a standing rear sight set into a dovetail slot, and has very fine armorial engravings. The pistol is fitted with late style locks with cocks in the French taste and waterproof, pans. The top jaws of the cocks are engraved “1” and “2” which designate the firing sequence. The pistol is fitted with a single trigger mechanism which fires the lower barrel first, and the top on the second pull. This feature of a single trigger operating two lock mechanisms was patented by John Manton in 1797 (4). Roller frizzens bearing on the top ramp of the steel spring. Locks are engraved Manton under the pans. Nicely figured English, walnut stock has a checkered, slightly swelling grip with a silver wrist escutcheon. The escutcheon is engraved with an owners crest. The trigger guard has armorial engravings on the bow with the serial number 4203 in a central oval. The serial number is repeated on the lower barrel. No proof marks are visible. Weight is 1,427 g.
Condition: Excellent. "London best quality" from London’s premier gun manufacturer of the period. The gun appears to be un-fired, with bright shiny bores, well maintained, and in as new condition. Barrels retain well over 98 % of their original English browning retaining sharp edges throughout. Ramrod is likely the original. Trigger guard retains nearly all of its original bright peacock blue. Locks with considerable darkened gray color case hardening. Frizzen springs retain most of their original fire blue tempering. Screw slots are excellent and appear to be unused. Very strong mainspring pressure on the left and right locks. Hammer draws are aligned and identical. Very few marks on the frizzens, presumably from dry firing. Mechanics are perfect. As new overall. Curator's Footnotes: • This pistol exemplifies the very height of achievable skill in the gunmakers craft of this period...at its absolute zenith.
Bibliography:
1. Blackmore, H. (1986). A Dictionary of London Gunmakers, 1350-1850, Phaidon, Christie's, Oxford. ISBN [0-7148-8021-3] p. 137.
2. This pistol appears to be un-recorded. Please see: Neal, W. Keith; Back, D.H.L. (1966), The Mantons: Gunmakers; p. 81, for 1803.
3. Heer, Eugene (1978). Der Neue Stockel; Vol 2, p. 752. Journal Verlag Schwend GmbH; Schwabisch Hall. 4. Blackmore, H. (1985) English Pistols; ISBN [0-948092-00-9] Arms and Armour Press, London; p. 37. 5. John Manton's trade card is reproduced here by permission from the British Museum.
An Exceptional Condition O/U Flintlock Pistol by John Manton:
English 1803. SN 4203. 24 Bore (14.70 mm) 0.579 cal. This pistol is 14 in. in overall length. The barrel group consists of two 8.125 in. octagonal, twist barrels fused together. “Manton - London” is inlaid in gold on the top flat along with a single gold line at the breech (1,2,3). Both barrels with gold vents, and displaying an exceptional English browned finish. The top barrel has an embedded silver foresight. The tang, incorporates a standing rear sight set into a dovetail slot, and has very fine armorial engravings. The pistol is fitted with late style locks with cocks in the French taste and waterproof, pans. The top jaws of the cocks are engraved “1” and “2” which designate the firing sequence. The pistol is fitted with a single trigger mechanism which fires the lower barrel first, and the top on the second pull. This feature of a single trigger operating two lock mechanisms was patented by John Manton in 1797 (4). Roller frizzens bearing on the top ramp of the steel spring. Locks are engraved Manton under the pans. Nicely figured English, walnut stock has a checkered, slightly swelling grip with a silver wrist escutcheon. The escutcheon is engraved with an owners crest. The trigger guard has armorial engravings on the bow with the serial number 4203 in a central oval. The serial number is repeated on the lower barrel. No proof marks are visible. Weight is 1,427 g.
Condition: Excellent. "London best quality" from London’s premier gun manufacturer of the period. The gun appears to be un-fired, with bright shiny bores, well maintained, and in as new condition. Barrels retain well over 98 % of their original English browning retaining sharp edges throughout. Ramrod is likely the original. Trigger guard retains nearly all of its original bright peacock blue. Locks with considerable darkened gray color case hardening. Frizzen springs retain most of their original fire blue tempering. Screw slots are excellent and appear to be unused. Very strong mainspring pressure on the left and right locks. Hammer draws are aligned and identical. Very few marks on the frizzens, presumably from dry firing. Mechanics are perfect. As new overall. Curator's Footnotes: • This pistol exemplifies the very height of achievable skill in the gunmakers craft of this period...at its absolute zenith.
Bibliography:
1. Blackmore, H. (1986). A Dictionary of London Gunmakers, 1350-1850, Phaidon, Christie's, Oxford. ISBN [0-7148-8021-3] p. 137.
2. This pistol appears to be un-recorded. Please see: Neal, W. Keith; Back, D.H.L. (1966), The Mantons: Gunmakers; p. 81, for 1803.
3. Heer, Eugene (1978). Der Neue Stockel; Vol 2, p. 752. Journal Verlag Schwend GmbH; Schwabisch Hall. 4. Blackmore, H. (1985) English Pistols; ISBN [0-948092-00-9] Arms and Armour Press, London; p. 37. 5. John Manton's trade card is reproduced here by permission from the British Museum.
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