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LOT 283
Excellent Cased Pair of Engraved and Gold Inlaid John Manton Rifled Flintlock Dueling Pistols from Lord St. Oswald and the W. Keith Neal Collection -A) Manton Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 4044, 27 bore cal., 9 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/ gold/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This pair is serial no. 4044 for 1803. Pairs 4040-4043 are listed in “Great British Gunmakers: The Mantons, 1782-1878” by D.H.L. Back, with 4043 noted as a “Pair of Single Barrel 27 Bore Duelling Pistols” in the nearly the same configuration as the current pair. Like the current pair, 4040 and 4041
are noted as not proofed. They have 27 bore (approximately .56 caliber) micro-groove style rifled barrels with crowned muzzles, silver blade front sights, “---MANTON * LONDON---” inlaid in gold on the tops, gold banded and lined patent breeches with notch rear sights and cleanout screws, the matching serial numbers on the barrels
and breech hooks, cleanout screws, and
no proof marks. The standing breeches
are casehardened and have burst, floral,
and classical martial engraving. The barrels measure 10 inches if the 1/2 inch patent breeches are included in the length. The stocks under the barrels and the trigger guard bows inside the shield designs also have the matching serial numbers. The stocks are nicely figured English walnut and are half-stock with horn forend caps and checkered, bag shaped wrists. The locks
are signed “MANTON” at center and have floral border engraving, martial trophies engraved at the tails, sliding safeties,
frizzen spring rollers, and guttered flash pans. The pistols have single set triggers, and the casehardened trigger plates have pineapple finials. The trigger guards are blued and have classical martial trophies and floral engraving that coordinates with the locks. The ramrods have horn tips. The pair comes in a fitted mahogany case with John Manton trade label inside the lid, green baize lining, mottled leather covered three-compartment powder flask, “62”
bore marked bullet mold numbered to the gun, cleaning and loading rod with ball worm, cleaning jag, pan brush, turnscrew, container, mainspring vice, and some lead balls and patches. Tags from the William Keith Neal Collection are also included as
is a “Nostell Priory” letter from November
9, 1975, to Neal discussing the Gunmakers’ Dinner and Neal’s new book. Another note within the case states they were obtained by Neal from Lord St. Oswald of Nostell Priory, Yorkshire. Derek Edward Anthony Winn was 5th Baron St. Oswald (1919-1999). The title was first held by Rowland Winn (1820-1893) in 1885.
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