Serial number 2838 is listed in W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, "The Mantons: Gunmakers", p. 73 as a 15 bore shotgun dating to 1797 and noted as owned by W. Keith Neal. Neal & Back note that the gun had a 34 inch single barrel, London proof marks, and "The flash-pan, which is semi-rainproof as above, and touch-hole are gold-lined. The barrel words are in gold. The barrel is fitted with a plug, and not a patent breech." The multi-stage smoothbore Damascus barrel has a silver bead front sight, "---MANTON * LONDON---" in gold inlay on top, "2838" between London proof and view marks on the underside, a gold band at the breech end, and the noted gold-lined touch hole. The serial number is repeated on the breech plug hook and inside of the forearm. The flat beveled lock has a stepped tail, "MANTON" signed at center, the noted gold-lined semi-rainproof pan, and a roller on the frizzen. The mounts is iron and includes a large stylized pineapple finial on the trigger-guard and floral, bird, and dog motifs. The walnut half-stock also has a green horn forearm cap, a checkered wrist, a vacant gold oval wrist escutcheon, and a raised cheekpiece. The wooden ramrod is fitted with an iron worm and horn tip. Provenance: The W. Keith Neal Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection