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LOT 1256
Fine Documented Game Scene Engraved John Manton & Son 8 Bore Percussion Single Barrel Duck Shotgun - Serial no. 11106, 8 gauge, 33 1/4
inch part octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/silver/blue finish, walnut stock.
This classic English percussion shotgun from the famous Manton family dates
to c. 1840-1844 based on the serial number and is detailed on page 112 of “The Mantons: Gunmakers” by W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back where it is listed as a single barrel caplock shotgun with a 34 inch Charles Lancaster barrel (length including the breech plug, no “CL” barrel maker’s mark present), and as from the Norman R. Blank Collection clearly indicating this fine sporting gun has been tucked away in Blank’s collection since at least 1966. The barrel is listed as 6 bore in the book and is marked “6” by the proofs, but it is actually measures 8 bore (.83 caliber) as noted in Blank’s records at the muzzle. The smoothbore Damascus barrel has a bead front sight, multiple bands at the transition point, and “John Manton & Son Dover Street London” signed on top in script with exaggerated tails on many of the first letters on the octagonal to polygonal breech section. The breech plug has scroll engraving and a pierced platinum plug. The standing breech is engraved with a flying duck and scroll and floral patterns. The lock has scroll and border engraving, a scene with a duck and foliage and the tiny and very rare engraver’s signature “SHORMAN SC” just below and with the gun maker’s signature “JNO. MANTON &
SON PATENT” towards the front. The inside of the lock is initialed “SM” and serial numbered. The presence of an engraver’s signature is extremely rare, and an engraver by the name of John W. Shorman is recorded in the Post Office London Directory from 1814 until 1847 at 6 Great Pulteney Street, Golden Square, London. The furniture also featured primarily scroll and floral engraving. The trigger guard bow displays a scene of a brace of floating ducks, and the trigger plate finial is
a stylized pineapple motif. A scene with the brace of ducks is also featured on the heel tang. The barrel, stock, lock, and trigger guard all have the matching serial number. The stock has a dark horn forend cap, silver wedge and wrist escutcheons, a checkered wrist, and a 14 1/4 inch length of pull.
CONDITION: Fine with 85% plus of the period re-browned finish and distinct twist patterns along the barrel, very light flash pitting at the breech, strong original case colors on the lock and standing breech, dark aged patina on the silver, and over half of the original blue finish remaining on the furniture with loss mainly on the buttplate. Neck of hammer cracked. The markings and engraving remain crisp. The stock is also fine and has crisp checkering, some bruising on the edges of the forend which is also chipped and has a repaired crack on the left side, and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1257
Rare Engraved John Dickson & Son 4 Bore Percussion Dangerous Game Rifle - Serial no. 2017, 4 bore cal., 31 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This massive hunting rifle was sold on July 14, 1859, per p. 240 of “John Dickson & Son: The Round Action Gunmaker” by Donald Dallas and features an octagonal Damascus barrel with four-groove rifling, matted top flat, beaded blade front sight, three-leaf rear sight with gold sight lines graduated out to 200 yards, “JOHN DICKSON & SON” signed on the upper left flat, “63 PRINCES STREET EDINBURGH” on the upper right flat, scroll engraved breech plug with platinum plug, engraved standing breech, flat lock signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON” with scroll engraving and sliding safety ahead of the hammer, checkered trigger, running stag scene engraved on the trigger guard bow, standing stag scenes on the heel tang and patchbox lid, dark horn forend cap,
silver reinforcement plates on the stock, silver oval wrist escutcheon, inlet for the shield shaped escutcheon on the bottom ahead of the sling stud, sling eye on the second ramrod pipe, wood ramrod with horn handle, checkered wrist and forend, oval cheekpiece, and checkered buttplate. Acquired from W. Keith Neal in February 1963.
CONDITION: Good with fading original brown finish and Damascus patterns along the barrel mixed with smooth gray and brown patina, dark aged patina on the silver, 60% original blue
on the trigger guard silver-gray patina on the lock and balance
of the mounts, detached stock escutcheon, some cracks, scrapes, and stains on the wood; distinct checkering and engraving, and moderate overall wear. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The W. Keith Neal Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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