This rare double flintlock sporting gun was made by the famous London gun maker, John Manton, in circa 1805. It appears to have received replacement barrels by the maker which are serial numbered 4829 and date to circa 1807. With browned Damascus barrels with narrow concave rib signed “MANTON LONDON” and with silver front sight. The casehardened patent breeches are also serial numbered 4829 and each feature gold lined maker’s mark, gold inlaid line and gold lined touch hole, the rib section is engraved with a spray of stylized foliage. Grooved standing breech engraved with a partial sunburst, foliage and roped borders. Flat locks each signed “MANTON”, engraved with a border of running foliage and a small scene on the tail involving foliage and a pheasant. The locks each featuring a “French” cock, waterproof pan and roller to the frizzen spring. Furniture including blued large bowed trigger guard engraved with a small woodland scene inhabited by two pheasants, and trigger plate with pineapple finial. Figured walnut half length stock with checkered grip, the wrist with small blank silver initial escutcheon and two silver barrel bolt escutcheons to the forearm. Brass mounted ramrod. London proof marks. In fitted mahogany case lined in green baize, the lid with John Manton trade label for circa 1801-1815, the exterior with circular brass escutcheon engraved with a crest and brass flush-fitting carrying handle. With accessories comprising brass mounted leather shot belt with single charger, Dixon & Sons patent horn powder flask, a combined turnscrew with brass pricker, a brush, an iron double shot charger, and a take down cleaning rod with brush.

Fine. The barrels retaining 95% plus rebrowned finish, rib signature re-engraved at time of refinishing. The breeches retain 30% faded original casehardened finish, gold lining to maker’s marks almost completely intact and the rib section engraving is crisp. This was a shooter’s gun and the locks are each rebuilt with expert replacement cocks and frizzens, left frizzen refaced, the right with evidence of having been refaced. Furniture mostly a light grey patina, traces of original bluing remaining to the inner surface of the trigger guard. Engraving is generally pretty crisp and clear throughout. Stock is re-oiled and in very good condition with a pleasing figure pattern, well-defined re-cut checkering and scattered age related storage and handling marks. Mechanically excellent once the right frizzen is refaced. The case in very good condition, expertly relined, one corner of the compartment lid cracked. Accessories generally in good condition with some age and handling wear, the powder flask with associated nozzle, the shot charger lightly pitted overall. A gun with enormous potential for a black powder shooter by one of the most revered London gun makers of the flintlock period.