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LOT 3313
Rare Documented
Engraved Joseph
Manton & Son Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun - Serial no. 10524, 14 gauge, 31 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut
stock. Manufactured by the famous Joseph Manton, the more innovative of the Manton brothers, this gun is listed by W. Keith Neal & D.H.L. Back in
their book “The Mantons: Gunmakers” page 283, when at the time of publication (1967) it was noted as being in the possession of “G.W. Ford, U.S.A.”
Originally this gun’s serial number range dated to 1837 before being reassessed as 1836 in the subsequent publication “The Manton Supplement” also
by Neal & Back. With browned Damascus two stage round barrels with larger diameter reinforced breech section, and concave rib with bead front sight
and signed “JOSEPH MANTON, & SON. 6 HOLLES STREET, CAVANDISH SQUARE, LONDON”. Casehardened patent breeches each with pierced
platinum plug and engraved with rococo ornament on the rib section. Border and scroll engraved standing breech, sidelocks each
signed “JOSEPH MANTON & SON”, and furniture including trigger plate with pineapple finial, trigger guard and buttplate.
The underside of the barrels with London proof marks and barrel maker’s mark “TE” for Thomas Evans. Well-figured
14 3/8 inch straight hand half-length stock with checkered grip, the wrist inset with a blank silver rectangular
initial escutcheon. Includes a brass mounted ramrod with worm.
CONDITION: Fine as refinished. The barrels retaining 95% of their older rebrowned finish. Breeches retaining
20% faded original casehardened finish with sharp engraving. Standing breech, locks and furniture mostly a
light grey patina with some scattered discoloration and shallow surface corrosion marking, engraving clear.
The trigger plate retains traces of original casehardened finish where sheltered by the trigger guard. Stock
has well-defined checkering and numerous age related storage and handling marks throughout, the left
edge of the forearm has very minor chips, the right edge missing a thin sliver of wood between the lock and
the barrel key, and a chip at the toe. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection; The Crockett Keller Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 3312
Magnificent Engraved & Gold Inlaid Scottish 4 Bore Single Barrel Percussion Ball Gun - Serial no. 166, 4 gauge,
35 1/4 inch part octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Believed to have come from the legendary
armoury of the Nizam of Hyderabad, this astonishing Scottish big bore ball gun is signed by Thomas Kennedy, a gunmaker
from Kilmarnock. With substantial browned octagonal to round two-stage Damascus barrel inlaid with two gold bands at
the muzzle, a small crescent blade front sight, and signed in gold “Thos. Kennedy Kilmarnock RIFLE MAKER TO HIS ROYAL
HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT” and inlaid with three gold inlaid stars and a gold inlaid line. The underside of the barrel bears Birmingham proof marks. Casehardened breech
engraved with vignettes of a stag on the top flat and an eagle beneath the percussion pillar. The barrel fitted with an under-rib bearing two ramrod pipes housing the original
brass mounted ramrod. Casehardened standing breech and side lock, the former profusely engraved with scrollwork, the latter with border and scroll engraving, a vignette
involving two deer and signed “T. KENNEDY” in gold. Casehardened trigger plate with ornate finial, blued trigger guard and blued buttplate. The trigger guard and buttplate each
engraved with further scrollwork, the buttplate engraved with the name of the original owner “Captn. Mullins”. The trigger guard bow engraved with deer. Large straight grain walnut
half-length stock with checkered grip and horn forearm cap. Weight 13 lbs. 12 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains 75% fading original browned finish, some minor loss to gold inlaid signature, and light pitting. Breech retains 20% faded original casehardened finish, the remainder a grey patina, engraving
clear with some surface discoloration over the eagle. Standing breech and lock each with clear engraving and faded traces of original casehardened finish. Trigger guard and buttplate each retaining 90% older reblued finish,
engraving softened. The stock is good with age related storage and handling marks, the heel of the butt with a setting crack, repaired setting crack in front of lock to edge of forearm, checkering well defined. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Midmar Castle Collection of Fine Arms and Armour; The Malcolm King Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
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