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LOT 284
Exceptionally Fine Documented Cased Pair of Silver and Gold Inlaid John Manton Percussion
Dueling Pistols -A) Manton Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 2878, 26 bore cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. At first glance, these pistols appear to have been
originally made c. 1830 to 1850, but the low serial number “2878” appears on the underside of the barrels
which places them decades earlier. This pair is listed by serial number and described on page 41 of “The
Manton Supplement” by Neal and Back as manufactured in 1798 and later updated to percussion. They
are described as a “Pair of Single Barrel 26 Bore Dueling Pistols Cased” and further “These pistols have
been rebuilt with new full stocks and new locks and breeches. The butts are chequered apart from the
rounded ends, and new spur trigger guards have been fitted. The locks and breeches are similar to those
in Plate 28. The case has been refitted to suit the pistols but it still retains the original label as in Plate
127. The octagonal barrels with their serial number, the full-stocks, and this trade label are the only clues
to the original period of these pistols, they having come from the makers as new percussion pistols and
still being in that condition.”
The browned Damascus barrels have silver blade front sights and are signed “- - -MANTON * LONDON- - -”
in gold inlay. The undersides have the noted serial number and London proof marks. The casehardened
breech plugs have pierced platinum plugs, scroll engraving, and dual platinum bands, and the standing
breeches are also casehardened and display scroll engraving as do the flat locks which are signed
“MANTON” at the center and have sliding half-cock safeties. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver,
and the balance of the mounts are blued. The trigger guards are spurred and enclose adjustable single
set triggers. The full-length stocks have checkered wrists. The ramrods have horn tips and covered
worms. The case has the original John Manton trade label inside and green baize lining and contains a
variety of loading and maintenance equipment.
CONDITION: Excellent
overall with only
minimal handling
and storage type
wear. The safety is frozen,
likely having not been moved for many decades, but the lock
and set trigger are otherwise fine. The case and accessories are
very fine with age and storage related wear, including stains in
the shape of the pistols on the lid lining from resiting in contact
with the pistols over the years. B) Manton Dueling Pistol -
Serial no. 2878, 26 bore cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with a spot of oxidation ahead of
the bolster and minimal light storage and handling related wear.
Mechanically fine aside from the safety which is frozen from likely
not being moved for many years. This is an extraordinary pair of
pistols bridging the flintlock and percussion eras. Though well-
suited for a duel, but the time they left the factory dueling in
England had largely come to an end and thus they have been
passed down through the generations in essentially
new condition.
Provenance: The N. A. V. Andrews Collection;
The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
As described in The Manton
Supplement by Neal & Back