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LOT 313
Exceptional Documented Cased Pair of
Engraved and Gold and Silver Inlaid John
Manton Rifled Flintlock Dueling Pistols -A)
Manton Flintlock Dueling Pistol - Serial no.
5662, 50 cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened/gold/silver/blue finish, walnut
stock. This extraordinary pair is listed in the
1813 section on page 89 of “The Mantons:
Gunmakers” by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L.
Back with some minor measurement errors.
They have finely rifled Damascus barrels with
crowned muzzles, fixed silver blade front
sights, “-MANTON . LONDON-” in gold inlay on
top of the barrels, and casehardened patent
breeches with gold inlaid bands, notch rear
sights, cleanout screws, and platinum touch
hole liners. The casehardened locks are signed
“MANTON” and have rainproof priming pans,
frizzen spring rollers, nitre blued sliding half-
cock safeties, and foliate engraving. The blued
trigger guards have spurs and classical martial
trophy engraving along with the serial number.
The triggers are plain but are tuned for a light
pull, and the trigger plate finials are stylized
pineapples. The forend caps are horn. The
escutcheons are silver. The wrist escutcheons
are engraved with a wyvern and torse. The pair
comes in a fitted case with the same crest on
the lid escutcheon, a John Manton trade label,
leather wrapped three-way combination flask,
loading rod with detachable mallet/handle, “No
40” marked ball mold, brush, and mainspring vice.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 95%
original brown finish and distinct Damascus
patterns along the barrel, 80% plus original
vibrant case colors, bright gold inlays, aged
patina on the silver escutcheons, 75% original
blue on the mounts, distinct markings and
engraving, and minor storage wear. The stock
is very fine and has crisp checkering and light
dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
The case and accessories are very fine with
minor age and storage wear.
B) Manton Flintlock Dueling Pistol - Serial
no. 5662, 50 cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl.,
brown/casehardened/gold/silver/blue finish,
walnut stock. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 90% plus
original brown finish and distinct Damascus
patterns along the barrel, 85% plus original
vibrant case colors, bright gold inlays, aged
patina on the silver escutcheons, 80% original
blue on the mounts, distinct markings and
engraving, and minimal storage wear. The
stock is very fine and has a faint crack on the
left at the breech, crisp checkering, and a few
light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This is a beautiful pair of pistols from one of the most
beloved gunmakers of the early 19th century: John Manton.
Provenance: The Albert J. Weatherhead III Collection; The Ron Dean Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000