This impressive gun from 1820 is recorded on page 98 of "The Mantons: Gunmakers" by W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back where it is described as a "Single Barrel 7 Bore Shotgun Cased" and as having a "Self-Priming Lock converted to Tube Lock" and noted as owned by "N. Blank, U.S.A." It is further noted that: "This wildfowling gun and gun No. 7739 were made for Edward Lloyd, Governor of Maryland, U.S.A. The receipted bill which is dated 23 March 1820 lists the following items: Best gun with patent self-priming lock £25 4s. 0d. Extra best plain lock £6 6s. 0d. Silver Furniture £5 5s. 0d. It seems likely that this self-priming lock was one of the various patterns produced with a magazine of percussion powder. At the present time, the flintlock is fitted." Norman R. Blank's notes indicate Neal purchased the gun in "Eastern America possibly from the Lloyd family," and a Mr. Henry Lloyd, Jr. calling card is included which is annotated by hand "Will sell/shot gun/no. 7/made by/John Manton & Son/of London for/50.00/60 day offer/from 3/20/39" signed by Henry Lloyd, Jr. Copies of the receipt and ledger for this gun were sent to Mr. Blank by David Back who in an included note states: "I enclose photostat copies of the bill and receipt for your gun which I think you may like to have. These I obtained from the Maryland Historical Society some while ago, before I knew you had one of the guns. Please keep them as a small return for all that you have done to help me. Yours sincerely, David Back." The March, 23, 1820, dated records for guns "Bought of John Manton & Son" indicates "His Excellency R. Rush Eq." purchased "two Silver mounted Guns" for "Eighty two pounds, five shillings, and six pence." Richard Rush (1780-1859), the son of founding father Dr. Benjamin Rush (1746-1813) was serving as U.S. Minister to England in 1820. He had been appointed to the position in 1817 and remained in England until 1825 when he became Secretary of the Treasury in the John Quincy Adams administration. His sister-in-law, Sally Scott Murray Lloyd, was Governor Lloyd's wife. Rush may have purchased the shotgun directly for Governor Lloyd or have sold or given it to him after returning from England. Rush later ran with Adams as the candidate for vice president on the National Republican ticket 1828, but they were defeated by Andrew Jackson. Among his various later endeavors was a successful return to the U.K. as a commissioner in 1836 to secure the large legacy left by James Smithson to the U.S. The legacy subsequently funded the world renowned Smithsonian Institution, and Rush was notably one of the Smithsonian's first regents. The Damascus barrel has a bead front sight, "John Manton & Son DOVER STREET" signed on top of the breech section, London proof marks on the lower left and lower right, and "7738" and "WF" (William Fullerd) on the bottom. The breech plug has a platinum vent liner, dual platinum bands, classical engraving, and the serial number on the hook. The casehardened standing breech incorporates a grooved rear sight and has coordinating engraving. The flintlock is signed "John Manton & Son/PATENT" on the flat plate and "JNo MANTON & SON/PATENT" on the frizzen and has a guttered pan, large frizzen spring roller, and foliate, scroll, and classical engraving. A spare frizzen without the markings is included within the case. The lock converted for tube primers has similar engraving and is signed "John Manton & Son." Both locks are numbered "7738" on the upper edges above the sear springs. The mounts are silver and includes a stylized pineapple trigger plate finial, classical hunting trophies on the trigger guard bow, "M-B" silversmith mark and London hallmarks inside the bow (no date code), and scroll and classical hunting themed engraving on the buttplate. The "M-B" silversmith mark is associated with Moses Brent who is credited with crafting the mounts on many fine English firearms. The half-length stock has a horn forend tip, checkered wrist, and oval cheekpiece. The gun comes in a fitted mahogany case designed to hold two locks with a John Manton & Son trade label, green baize lining, and a variety of accessories, including a leather covered powder flask and a small pocket flask. Edward Lloyd V (1779-1834) was the 13th Governor of Maryland in 1809-1811 and was serving in the U.S. Senate representing Maryland when this impressive sporting gun was made, serving as a senator from 1819 to 1826 and subsequently as a Maryland state senator until 1831. He had also previously served as a congressman and as a lieutenant colonel of the 9th Regiment of Maryland Militia. His forefathers had also been active in politics through the colonial era, including Edward Lloyd II who was the Royal Governor of Maryland a century prior in 1709-1714. In the early 19th century, Lloyd operated the largest wheat farm in Maryland and lived in the family's historic home Wye House. His plantation was worked by hundreds of enslaved people. The highly influential abolitionist Frederick Douglass (1817/18-1895) as a young child was held in bondage by Lloyd's clerk and plantation superintendent Captain Aaron Anthony and wrote extensively about Lloyd and life on his plantation in the early chapters of "The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" as well as his subsequent works, including of Lloyd's harsh treatment. Douglass, wrote "The home plantation of Colonel Lloyd wore the appearance of a country village. All the mechanical operations for all the farms were performed here. The shoemaking and mending, the blacksmithing, cartwrighting, coopering, weaving, and grain-grinding, were all performed by slaves on the home plantation. The whole place wore a business-like aspect, very unlike the neighboring farms." That Edward Lloyd V would own such a fine shotgun is not surprising. He was a very wealthy man and a well-known hunter and sportsman with a particular interest in hunting fowl. His dog Sailor, either a Newfoundland or St. John's Water Dog, was talented in retrieving ducks and is considered the father of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed which was developed in the 19th century by breeding Sailor and another Newfoundland/St. John's Water Dog with other breeds already established in the region. It is noted in Oswald Tilghman's "History of Talbot County Maryland, 1661-1861," that, "One of his favorite pastimes, when at home in winter, was fowling, opportunities for the indulgence of which was afforded by the Wye and Chester rivers and the Eastern Bay, then more frequented by flocks of wild ducks, geese and swan than at present." Douglass wrote, "The most of my leisure time I spent in helping Master Daniel Lloyd in finding his birds after he had shot them." Given this, one wonders whether Douglass may have even seen this fine shotgun in action in his youth before he left for Baltimore and ultimately gained his freedom. Provenance: U.S. Minister to England Richard Rush; Governor and Senator Edward Lloyd V of Maryland; The Lloyd Family; The W. Keith Neal Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Fine overall. The barrel retains 95% plus of the period rebrowned finish and has distinct Damascus twist patterns and minimal wear. The breech plug, standing breech, and locks mostly display a deep gray patina with traces of original case colors and some patches mild pitting. The flintlock appears to have been a tube-lock conversion from flintlock or to have had modifications to frizzen and priming pan, and the stirrup for the tumbler has a small chip and faint crack. The silver mounts display attractive age darkened patina. The engraving and markings remain crisp. The stock is also fine and has attractive figure, crisp checkering, some discreet repairs. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are also generally fine with mild age and storage related wear. Overall, this is a very impressive and distinctive cased set with interesting historic ownership by Senator Edward Lloyd V of Wye Plantation in Maryland.