EARLY JOHN MANTON DOUBLE GUN CONVERTED TO PERCUSSION.

EARLY JOHN MANTON DOUBLE GUN CONVERTED TO PERCUSSION. SN 1999. (ca 1794) Cal. 20 Bore..628 Bore diameter. Few Manton double shotguns are known that are earlier than this example which shows early style furniture with bulbous tailpipe and large pineapple finial to trigger plate. Front trigger is very short, and grip checkering has very unusual “over run” borders, as is found on only a few Manton guns and pistols from the mid-1790’s. 35-1/2″ Nicely browned, skelp twist, barrels are engraved “- MANTON – LONDON -” on low concave top rib. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with early London proofs and SN. Brass tipped oak ramrod mounts through two iron pipes with nicely beaded ends. Drum and nipple percussion ignition system has been fitted. SNs are stamped on ends of breech plugs. Originally there were gold bands at breeches, which are missing, their recesses remain. Breech iron has deeply cut sighting groove, various types of feather band engraving, and scroll at tail. Nicely chamfered locks with line border engraving have rebated tails. Portions of rear fence are still present after conversion, and “- MANTON -” is engraved on each lockplate. Fine quality round bodied serpentine percussion hammers have been fitted. Double beaded trigger guard extends into scrolled semi pistol grip, engraved with dog on bow, and sunburst on tip of grip. Nicely figured and lightly streaked European walnut stock measures 13-3/4″ over steel buttplate with long tang. Stock is fitted with early style, low, shadow line, right hand cheekpiece. Forend attaches to bbl with side nail through silver escutcheons. Silver oval at top of grip is engraved with initials “BEM”. Bore diameter: left -.627, right -.627. Wall thickness: left -.030 at muzzle, right -.028 at muzzle. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs. 2.6 oz, LOP 13-3/4″. CONDITION: Fine, retaining most of a refinish, probably done at time of conversion to percussion. Bbls retain 70 – 80% pleasing brown, with good pattern visible, over areas of light pitting and numerous marks, which has subsequently darkened and has a few light spots, and silvering. Engraving is sharp. Breech iron, locks and hammers retain 20 – 30% faded case color. Stock is sound with some very minor chips behind tails of lockplates, and retains most of a French polish finish, with numerous marks from handling and use. Checkering is slightly worn. Iron stock furniture is mostly gray to brown patina. Bores are very fine, shiny, but frosted throughout. A fine handling early classic. An ideal candidate for re-conversion to flint, or to enjoy in the field, as is. 4-41825 MGM78 (3,000-5,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1190	$0.00	EARLY JOHN MANTON DOUBLE GUN CONVERTED TO PERCUSSION. SN 1999. (ca 1794) Cal. 20 Bore..628 Bore diameter. Few Manton double shotguns are known that are earlier than this example which shows early style furniture with bulbous tailpipe and large pineapple finial to trigger plate. Front trigger is very short, and grip checkering has very unusual “over run” borders, as is found on only a few Manton guns and pistols from the mid-1790’s. 35-1/2″ Nicely browned, skelp twist, barrels are engraved “- MANTON – LONDON -” on low concave top rib. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with early London proofs and SN. Brass tipped oak ramrod mounts through two iron pipes with nicely beaded ends. Drum and nipple percussion ignition system has been fitted. SNs are stamped on ends of breech plugs. Originally there were gold bands at breeches, which are missing, their recesses remain. Breech iron has deeply cut sighting groove, various types of feather band engraving, and scroll at tail. Nicely chamfered locks with line border engraving have rebated tails. Portions of rear fence are still present after conversion, and “- MANTON -” is engraved on each lockplate. Fine quality round bodied serpentine percussion hammers have been fitted. Double beaded trigger guard extends into scrolled semi pistol grip, engraved with dog on bow, and sunburst on tip of grip. Nicely figured and lightly streaked European walnut stock measures 13-3/4″ over steel buttplate with long tang. Stock is fitted with early style, low, shadow line, right hand cheekpiece. Forend attaches to bbl with side nail through silver escutcheons. Silver oval at top of grip is engraved with initials “BEM”. Bore diameter: left -.627, right -.627. Wall thickness: left -.030 at muzzle, right -.028 at muzzle. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs. 2.6 oz, LOP 13-3/4″. CONDITION: Fine, retaining most of a refinish, probably done at time of conversion to percussion. Bbls retain 70 – 80% pleasing brown, with good pattern visible, over areas of light pitting and numerous marks, which has subsequently darkened and has a few light spots, and silvering. Engraving is sharp. Breech iron, locks and hammers retain 20 – 30% faded case color. Stock is sound with some very minor chips behind tails of lockplates, and retains most of a French polish finish, with numerous marks from handling and use. Checkering is slightly worn. Iron stock furniture is mostly gray to brown patina. Bores are very fine, shiny, but frosted throughout. A fine handling early classic. An ideal candidate for re-conversion to flint, or to enjoy in the field, as is. 4-41825 MGM78 (3,000-5,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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