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LOT 3386
Fine & Rare Documented Engraved Joseph Manton & Son Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun with Case - Serial no. 10524,
14 gauge, 31 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/ blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured by the famous Joseph Manton, the more innovative of the Manton brothers, this gun is
listed by W. Keith Neal & D.H.L. Back in their book “The Mantons: Gunmakers” page 283, when at the time of publication (1967) it was noted as being in the possession of “G.W. Ford, U.S.A.” Originally this gun’s serial number range dated to 1837 before being reassessed as 1836 in the subsequent publication “The Manton Supplement” also by Neal & Back. With browned Damascus two stage round barrels with larger diameter reinforced breech section, and concave rib with bead front sight and signed “JOSEPH MANTON, & SON. 6 HOLLES STREET, CAVANDISH SQUARE, LONDON”. Casehardened patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug and engraved with rococo ornament on the rib section. Border and scroll engraved standing breech, sidelocks each signed “JOSEPH MANTON & SON”, and furniture including trigger plate with pineapple finial, trigger guard and buttplate. The underside of the barrels with London proof marks and barrel maker’s mark “TE” for Thomas Evans. Well-figured 14 3/8 inch straight hand half-length stock with checkered grip, the wrist inset with a blank silver rectangular initial escutcheon. With brass mounted ramrod with worm. In fitted mahogany case lined in green baize, the lid with printed trade label of Joseph Manton. With some accessories including powder and shot flask, a brass shot measure and a pewter oiler. CONDITION: Fine as refinished. The barrels retaining 95% of their older rebrowned finish, signature softened. Breeches retaining 20% faded original casehardened finish, engraving sharp. Standing breech, locks and furniture mostly a light grey patina with some scattered discoloration and shallow surface corrosion marking, engraving clear. The trigger plate retains traces of original casehardened finish where sheltered by the trigger guard. Stock has well-defined checkering and numerous age related storage and handling marks throughout, the left edge of the forearm with very minor chips, the right edge missing a thin sliver of wood between the lock and the barrel key, and a chip at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Case externally refinished, some repaired cracks to the lid and the locking latches have been replaced. Lining with some wear and staining, evidence some partitions have been moved and re-glued. Trade label holed, stained and torn.
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK THE MANTONS: GUNMAKERS BY NEAL & BACK
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3387
Fine Thomas Smith 16 Bore Single Barrel Percussion Sporting Rifle
o. 807, 69 cal., 30 1/2
with Case - Serial n
inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, maple stock. With browned Damascus octagonal barrel signed “THOMAS SMITH. 55 PARLIAMENT ST.T, LONDON” towards the recessed casehardened
patent breech, the breech with platinum plug and inlaid with a platinum line. Blued blade front sight and
blued rear sight of one standing leaf. Casehardened standing breech and detented back action lock signed
“THOMAS SMITH LONDON” with blued safety bolt behind the hammer, and with double set triggers. Furniture
including blued heel plate and blued flat fronted scrolled pistol grip trigger guard. Well-figured bird’s eye maple
half-length stock with shaped checkered panels to the grip and forearm, inset with a small square silver initial
escutcheon on the underside of the butt, and dark horn forearm cap. Small sling eye fitted to the underside of
the butt, the corresponding sling eye mounted beneath the rear ramrod pipe. Horn and brass mounted wooden
ramrod. London proof mark. In original fitted oak case lined in green baize, the lid with small printed Thomas
Smith trade label. With some accessories including Sykes powder flask and loading mallet. The lid named to “GEORGE EVANS DONALDSON”.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel retains 80% faded original browned finish with scattered surface corrosion spotting throughout. Sights with traces of original blued finish. Patent breech, standing breech and lock each with 80% original bright casehardened finish with some mottling. Furniture retains 50% original deep blued finish. The stock has a very dark aged patina. The maple figure is clearly visible in the barrel channel. It has numerous age related storage and handling marks, bruises and blemishes throughout, and well-defined checkering. The right edge of the forearm has an old repaired crack and a chip, and some filled knot holes are evident on the butt. The toe of the butt has a small repair. Mechanically very good. The case has some age related storage and handling marking, lining with age related wear, staining and some mothing, and a small replacement patch of baize where the breech sits. There is an address on the lid beneath the name, unfortunately illegible. Overall a wonderfully patinated rifle which has escaped the attentions of restorers.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
214 Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000