A Fine Rare Cased Pair Percussion Target or Duelling Pistols by Joseph Manton,
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15 ¼” overall, 8 ½” browned twist octagonal 40 bore sighted barrels signed ‘Joseph Manton Holles St. Cavendish Square, London’ along the top flat, foliate scroll engraved case hardened breeches and tangs, the former each with platinum lines and platinum plug, the latter each with back sight. Numbered 8432 on the underside and on the breach hook with London Proofs. Flat lock plates signed ‘Joseph Manton’, border engraved case hardened detented locks each decorated with scrolling foliage, the internal working parts retaining their original brightly burnished finish, dolphin hammers en suite with the locks, and engraved safety catches. Figured walnut half stocks each with chequered rounded butt, blued steel trigger guards en suite with the locks and each with serial number 8432 on the tang, case hardened trigger plates each with foliate scroll engraved pineapple shaped finial, case hardened ovoidal butt caps engraved with scrolling foliage, vacant silver escutcheons, set triggers, dark horn fore end caps, original brass mounted ramrods.
In original lined and fitted case with accessories including Sykes powder flask retaining much of its original lacquered finish, case hardened mainspring clamp, rare Manton breech scraper, patch cutter, nipple key and ramrod, the interior of the lid with very rare Manton & Son maker's trade label, the exterior with circular vacant brass escutcheon centred on a flush fitting brass carrying handle.
In very fine condition retaining most of their original finish.
These fine target style pistols are among the very last made by Joe Manton in the short partnership with his son John Augustus at Holles Street before he died in June 1835. It has the very rare J Manton and Son trade label which is as far as I can fine unrecorded.
No. 8432 For 1834
Provenance
Ex Benn Hunter Collection
See W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, The Mantons: Gunmakers, 1966, pp. 267, 279 and 280
D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers, The Mantons 1782-1878, 1993, pp. 117 and 127