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LOT 3329
Documented Engraved Gold Inlaid and Silver Mounted
Twigg & Bass Flintlock Double Barrel Gun - NSN, 18 gauge,
34 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/gold/casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock. This
fine silver-mounted flintlock gun by Twigg & Bass has London silver hallmarks with date code
for 1787 and “M.B” for Michael Barnett.” The gun is listed in the Arms & Armour Society article “’M B’
The Gunmakers’ Silversmith: A Question of Attribution” by Bernard Dickens with the mounts attributed to
Michael Barnett in 1787/1788 and is also listed on the included certificate of authenticity filled out for Norman R.
Blank by F. Theodore Dexter. As shown on the included receipt, Blank purchased the gun from Kerr’s Sporting Goods
on July 1, 1956. It previously belonged to actor Frank Fay. This is one of Mr. Blank’s earliest recorded purchases. His collection
sheet is included. The browned barrels feature “Twigg & Bass” signed on the top left and “LONDON” on the top right, a concave
rib with a silver blade front sight, gold lined touch holes, and a gold band at the breech. The grooved standing breech
is also gold banded and has scroll engraving. The locks are signed “Twigg/& Bass” and
have gold lined pans, rollers on the frizzens, and ramps on the frizzen springs. The
mounts are silver and have engraved border and foliate patterns, including a stylized
pineapple finial on the trigger guard as well as a bird on the heel. The wrist escutcheon
has a crest with a wing. The stock is smooth and has a 14 3/8 inch length of pull.
CONDITION: Very fine overall as refinished by gunsmith J.D. Buchanan with nearly all
of the brown finish remaining, bright gold, gray and brown patina on the locks and
standing breech, some minor pitting, attractively aged patina on the silver mounts,
some cracks and repairs on the stock, and minor wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Frank Fay Collection; Kerr’s Sporting Goods;
The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3328
Documented Cased Engraved
Joseph Manton 20 Bore
Flintlock Double Barrel
Shotgun -
Serial no. 5431, 20 gauge, 30 7/8
inch solid rib bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish,
walnut stock. This c. 1811 shotgun is listed on page 245 of “The
Mantons: Gunmakers” by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back. The gun
has browned Damascus barrels with a concave rib fitted with a
bead front sight and signed “Joseph Manton PATENT Elevation” and
casehardened patent breeches with platinum bands and vent liners
and sunken platinum lined “JOSEPH MANTON/PATENT” maker’s marks.
The underside of the barrels, breeches, and trigger guard bow have the
matching serial number. There are no visible proof marks. The flat beveled
locks are signed “Joseph Manton/LONDON” and have rainproof priming pans, frizzen spring rollers,
and light engraving. The frizzens are marked “JOSEPH MANTON’S/PATENT” and numbered “4365” and
“4366”. The mounts feature primarily foliate and scroll engraving, including stylized pineapple finials
on the ramrod entry pipe and trigger plate. The wedge escutcheons are nickel-silver, and the wrist
escutcheon is silver. The stock has a checkered wrist and a 14 1/2 inch length of pull. The associated oak case has a Joseph Manton trade
label, powder flask, shot belt, flint wallet, spring vise, and turnscrews. Includes Norman R. Blank’s typed collection note.
CONDITION: Very good as partially refinished with 95% plus of the re-browned finish and distinct Damascus twist patterns visible along the
barrels, re-faced frizzens, traces of original case colors, 30% original blue on the trigger guard, gray and brown patina on the balance, some
patches of oxidation/pitting, and mild overall wear. The refinished stock is good and has mild scratches and dings, an extension at the butt,
and distinct checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,500
Listed by serial number in The
Mantons: Gunmakers by Neal & Back
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