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LOT 271
Extraordinarily Fine Cased Pair of Engraved, Gold Inlaid, and “Hair Rifled” John Manton Flintlock Dueling Pistols -A) Manton Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 5181, 50 cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue/silver finish, walnut stock. John Manton was among the preeminent makers of fine dueling pistols, and his pistols remain among the most highly sought after
today, especially cased sets in high condition. This pair of pistols dating from circa 1809 and “hair” or “scratch”
rifling in the barrels that not evident without the use of a light and are fitted with fixed silver blade front sights and dovetailed notch rear sights and are signed “---MANTON * LONDON---” in gold inlay on
the upper flats as well as gold bands and platinum vent liners on the breech plugs. The serial
number “5181” is marked on the underside of the barrels, inside of the forends, and on the
trigger guard bows within an array of martial trophies. The flat, casehardened locks are signed “-MANTON-” below the guttered priming pans and have border and floral engraving, frizzen rollers, and sliding half-cock safeties. The furniture
features foliate and border engraving, a pineapple trigger plate finial,
horn forend caps, and silver escutcheons. The figured walnut stocks have checkered wrists and flared pommels. The original mahogany fitted case has a John Manton trade label inside, the lid, green baize lining, a combination flask, matching “5181” marked ball mold, oiler, spring vice, cleaning/loading rod with jag, and key. An included letter from Monty Whitley Inc. from 1996 indicates the pair was purchased from the Champlin estate in Oklahoma and they had been the cornerstone of his collection since it was purchased in
268 1948 in London.