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LOT 1243
Desirable Cased Pair of
Engraved Joseph Manton
Half-Stock Rifled
Flintlock Dueling Pistols
-A) Manton Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 4267, 44 Bore cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
AS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE MANTONS: GUNMAKERS
BY NEAL & BACK
brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This pair dates to c. 1806 and is
listed on page 238 of “The Mantons: Gunmakers” by W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back
where they are identified as a “Pair of Single Barrel 44 Bore Pistols Cased” and noted
as from the Norman R. Blank Collection. The pair was displayed at the NRA in 2004.
They are numbered “4267” on the bottom of the barrels and the patent breeches.
The first pistol is also numbered “1787” on the frizzen, and the second is numbered
“1788”. The heavy, Damascus barrels have light six-groove rifling, fixed silver blade
front sights, and the patent breeches feature sunken platinum lined “crown/JOSEPH/
MANTON/PATENT” marks and platinum bands and vents. The standing breeches
have fixed notch rear sights and engraving. The flat locks feature rainproof priming
pans, “-JOSEPH -MANTON-/-LONDON-” signatures, “JOSEPH MANTON/PATENT” on the
frizzens which have small pierced vent covers and grooves on the undersides and
rollers, ramps on the frizzen springs, sliding half-cock safeties, and light engraving. The wedge and
wrist escutcheons are silver. The forend caps are dark horn. The other mounts are blued iron with
floral and classical martial patterns along with stylized pineapple finials on the trigger plates. The
half-length stocks have checkered wrists. The original mahogany case has a Manton trade label, leather
wrapped three-way flask, “WD” and “No 34” marked ball mold, and a spring vice.
CONDITION: Fine overall with 90% of the period refinished brown with distinct twist patterns along the barrel, light original case colors, silver-
gray patina on the lock and mounts, some minor oxidation, bright platinum, dark aged patina on the silver, spliced repair on the edge of the forend on the front right, small cracks nearby, crisp checkering and engraving, distinct markings, and general mild overall wear including scratches and dings in the stock. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are also fine with mild age and storage related wear.
B) Manton Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 4267, 44 Bore cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock.
CONDITION: Fine overall with 85% of the perid refinished brown with distinct twist patterns along the barrel, light original case colors, silver-gray patina on the balance of the lock and mounts, spots of slight oxidation, bright platinum, dark aged patina on the silver, scrapes on the left stock flat, crisp checkering and engraving, distinct markings, and general mild overall wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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