This double barrel flintlock shotgun's barrels were manufactured by the famed London gunmaker Joseph Manton around 1815. Manton was active from 1795-1830 and was noted for his firms finely crafted flintlock and percussion fowling pieces and hunting guns. He introduced the V shaped priming pan to flintlocks and later held patents for the elevating rib and a percussion tube lock among others. His son continued the business after his death in 1835 until 1870. Many of Manton's employees went on to start their own successful businesses including James Purdey of James Purdey and Sons. The 18 bore Damascus barrels on this shotgun have London proofs and the serial number on the bottom under the forearm and a concave rib signed "JOSEPH MANTONS NEW IMPROVEMENTS BY HIS MAJESTYS PATENTS." The inset breeches have platinum touch holes, gold inlaid bands and deep struck gold highlighted proofs marked "JOSEPH/MANTON/PATENT." The barrel tang has full coverage floral engraving. The lock plates feature rebated tails, highly stylized waterproof pans, and feather border and floral engraving. The engraved motif is repeated on the cocks, trigger guard and buttplate tang. The engraving is William Smith style but not his work. The lock plates are engraved "PATENT 1231" (left), "PATENT 1230" (right) and "JOSEPH MANTON/LONDON" (both). The front of the frizzens are marked "MANTON/1231/PATENT" (left) and "MANTON/1230/PATENT" (right). The backs of the lock plates are also marked with the serial number. The locks also have rollers on the frizzen springs. The trigger guard has a stylized pineapple type finial, and the ramrod pipe tail has a more traditional pineapple type finial. Mounted with a straight grip half stock featuring checkering on the wrist, smooth forearm, blank silver thumb escutcheon, single barrel wedge with silver escutcheons and steel shotgun buttplate. The stock is 1/2 inch cast on. The partitioned mahogany case is earlier than the gun and has brass hardware (including corner protectors and folding inset handle), a compartment with wooden lid and an earlier 1805 period paper Joseph Manton label on the inside of the lid. The case is lined in burgundy velvet. The accessories include an ebony handled screwdriver, an old elephant hair bracelet, and a horn jar.

Fair as assembled/modified, possibly by Joseph Manton's shop, and later refinished. The barrels retain half of the brown finish with the balance a smooth gray patina. The remaining metal surfaces have an overall bright gray patina. There is dark pitting, mostly on the buttplate. The engraving is crisp. The refinished wood is good with a number of minor pressure dents and scratches, smooth checkering, and attractive patina. Mechanically excellent. The case is fair with minor to moderate pressure dents and scratches, some repairs, and a portion of wood missing from a short end. The lining shows high spot wear and some discoloration.