Page 182 - 88-BOOK3

AS LISTED IN THE MANTON SUPPLEMENT BY NEAL AND BACK
LOT 3267
Documented Cased Pair of
Engraved Joseph Manton 38
Bore Flintlock Dueling Pistols
-A) Manton Dueling Pistol - Serial
no. 4947, 38 Bore cal., 9 3/8 inch
octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/
blue finish, walnut stock. This pair is
recorded on pages 206 and 232 of
“The Manton Supplement” by Neal
and Back as then owned by Holland
& Holland and as 38 bore dueling
pistols from 1809 with 10 inch
barrels (the length with the patent
breeches included), safety catches, frizzens
numbered “3527” and “3528,” and the trigger guards, barrels,
and breeches numbered “4947.” The numbers on the frizzens are patent use numbers. The frizzens are a very interesting design with a groove and small, coned vent hole cover with a small hole. The bottom of the frizzen has a corresponding channel that narrows as it comes to the edge. The design is meant to allow
air to escape but not powder and to ensure powder at the touch hole and thus prevent hang firing (see pages 116-117 of “The Manton Supplement” for discussion of Patent No. 2722 from July 6, 1803). The Damascus, smoothbore barrels have low silver blade front sights. The recessed patent breeches have sunken “crown/ JOSEPH/MANTON/PATENT” platinum maker’s marks, platinum vent liners, and platinum bands. The standing breeches have notch rear sights and burst and floral engraving. The locks have rainproof, guttered pans, the noted patented frizzens marked “JOSEPH MANTON/PATENT” and “3527” and “3528” respectively, burst and floral engraving, sliding half-cock safeties, frizzen rollers and corresponding ramps on the frizzen springs, and “Joseph Manton/ LONDON” signed a the center. The pistols have nicely tuned, plain triggers with pineapple finials on the trigger plates. The trigger guards have mainly floral engraving and the noted serial number markings. The figured, half-length stocks have horn forend caps, silver escutcheons, and checkered wrists. The pair
comes in a relined, period case with a Joseph Manton trade label, cleaning rod, 40 bore ball mold, dual compartment flask, flints, balls, and key.
CONDITION: Very good with most of the older, possibly period, refinished brown remaining on the barrel along with distinct Damascus patterns, silver- gray patina on most of the lock, most of the refinished plum brown finish on the furniture, aged patina on the
The refinished stock is also very good and has crisp checkering, subtle spliced repairs on the forend, minor insect damage on the horn, attractive flame figure, and general mild scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are good and have moderate age and storage related wear.
B) Manton Dueling Pistol - Serial no. 4947, 38 Bore cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good with most of the older, possibly period, refinished brown remaining on the barrel,
distinct Damascus patterns, mostly a silver-gray patina
on the lock, most of the refinished plum brown finish remaining on the furniture, dark aged patina on the
silver escutcheons, and crisp markings and engraving.
The refinished stock is also good and has crisp
checkering, spliced repairs on the forend at the tip,
some stabilized cracks running along the bottom of the forend through the mid-section, attractive flame figure,
and general mild scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a very attractive pair of pistols from one the England’s premier dueling pistols makers: Joseph Manton. Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000
180 silver escutcheons, and crisp markings and engraving.