A Percussion Travelling Pistol by Joe Manton. 11” overall 5 ¾” 38 bore hair rifled, twist sighted barrel, patent breech with platinum line & rectangular platinum lined maker’s stamp ‘Joseph Manton Patent’, numbered 3197 on the underside of the barrel and breech, foliate engraved tang with back sight, drum nipple bolster, flat bevelled lock with sliding safety catch, signed ‘Joseph Manton London’ flat engraved percussion hammer. Figured full stock with chequered rounded butt & horn fore end cap, border engraved steel mounts comprising butt cap & trigger guard, the latter with serial number 3197 in an oval against a martial trophy on the bow, trigger plate with pineapple finial, vacant silver escutcheon & barrel bolt escutcheons, later horn tipped ramrod.
No. 3197 for 1804.
Fine interesting pistol in good condition, barrel rebrowned , converted from flintlock circa 1830, original finish to trigger guard and butt cap, Joe Manton pistols of this type are uncommon, probably converted by Joe Manton.
Provenance, W. Keith Neal Collection.
See W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, ‘The Mantons: Gunmakers’ 1967, p. 235 & D.H.L. Back, ‘The Mantons 1782-1878’ 1993, p. 89.