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LOT 1277
Documented Engraved John Manton & Son Early Percussion
Conversion Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 6109, 12 gauge, 31
1/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue/silver finish, walnut
stock. This shotgun was converted c. 1826 and is recorded on page
92 of “The Mantons: Gunmakers” by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back as made in 1816. The
authors note: “This gun has been rebuilt for percussion ignition with new locks and
breeches. The lock plates have tall projections fitting nearly beside the false breech,
and the nipples stand nearly vertically. The barrels have been twice proved; the earlier
marks being in neat ovals, and the later marks punched alongside the earlier. The serial
number appears under each barrel, on the breech hooks, and on the top edge of each lock-plate.” The gun is listed as owned by “N. Blank, U.S.A.”
Additional documentation indicates the gun was imported by Norman R. Blank in 1964. The Damascus barrels have a concave solid rib with a
brass bead front sight, “DOVER STREET LONDON” signed towards the breech, and scroll engraved breech plugs with pierced platinum vents. The
original breech plugs are also included and feature the serial number on the hooks, platinum lined vents, platinum bands, and platinum lined
sunken “MANTON/& SON.LONDON” maker’s marks. The locks are signed “JOHN MANTON & SON/PATENT”. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are
silver, and the latter has a coronet over a stag’s head. The trigger guard and buttplate are blued and feature scroll engraving as well as a bird
on the trigger guard bow. The stock has a checkered wrist and a 14 inch length of pull. Accompanied by a letter from W. Keith Neal and a 1964
customs invoice.
CONDITION: Fine with most of the period refurbished brown finish remaining on the barrels, light original case colors, 80% plus original blue
finish, patches of oxidation and pitting, and generally minor overall wear. Replacement ramrod. The refinished stock is good with crisp checkering,
minor cracks and chips, some dents and scratches, and smooth oiled finish. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of the Earls of Plymouth; W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
Listed by serial
number in The
Mantons Gunmakers
by Neal & Back
LOT 1276
Documented Engraved John Manton Flintlock Half-Stock Sporting Rifle with Gold Inlaid
Kuchenreuter Barrel - NSN, 50 cal., 28 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/gold/casehardened/blue
finish, walnut stock. This rifle is listed on page 70 of “The Mantons: Gunmakers” by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L.
Back as dating to 1795. It is described as a “Single Barrel Flintlock 30 Bore Rifle” from the Norman R. Blank
Collection with a Kuchenreuter barrel. English gunmakers occasionally turned to high quality foreign barrels.
The Germans in particular had a longer standing “rifle culture” giving their barrels a reputation for accuracy.
Included is a certificate of authenticity for the rifle filled out to Mr. Blank by F. Theodore Dexter. The swamped
octagonal barrel has seven-groove rifling, a dovetailed brass blade front sight, dovetailed notch rear sight,
gold inlaid scroll and star motifs, “JOHANN JACOB KUCHENREUTER” in gold inlay on the top flat, sunken gold
lined Kuchenreuter maker’s marks, and a gold lined touch hole. The flat beveled lock is signed “MANTON”
and has a gold lined priming pan, frizzen spring roller, frizzen spring ramp, sliding half-cock safety, and
stepped tail. The rifle is equipped with a single set trigger. The ramrod entry pipe, trigger guard, and
buttplate are engraved blued steel. The trigger guard finial is a stylized pineapple. The heel is engraved
with a stag scene. The silver wrist escutcheon is engraved with a crest of a horse holding a crown. The figured walnut half-stock has a horn
forend cap, finely checkered wrist, and large cheekpiece. The rifle was acquired by Mr. Blank from W. Keith Neal on August 16, 1959.
CONDITION: Fine overall as professionally restored with most of the brown and blue finish remaining, replacement rear sight, strong case colors on the lock mixed with dark
patina, some light oxidation/pitting, crisp engraving and stock checkering, filled spots in the figure on the butt, and general mild overall wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,500
Listed in The Mantons
Gunmakers by Neal & Back