2224

FINE CONDITION JOSEPH MANTON TUBELOCK DOUBLE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
FINE CONDITION JOSEPH MANTON TUBELOCK DOUBLE

SHOTGUN WITH ORIGINAL CASE AND ACCESSORIES.
Cal. 16 bore. S# 8884 (1821). Among early percussion systems the tubelock obtained a good following as ignition was generally fast and sure. This gun has 29 5/8" skelp twist barrels engraved "Joseph Manton, Hanover Square. London." on slightly raised rib. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#'s London proofs and "WF" (noted barrel maker William Fullerd). Patent breeches with deeply inset platinum touch holes have platinum poincon on tops stamped "JOSEPH" "MANTON." "PATENT." under a crown. Breech iron is engraved with open shaded scroll. Locks with flat plates having square tails are fitted with broad faced hammers with heavily shielded noses to partially enclose tube mechanism. Pivoting tops are controlled by straight feather springs with rollers. Locks and hammers are engraved with open flowing scroll. "Joseph Manton Patent" is under feather springs and fronts of plates are engraved with coiled sea monsters with eagle heads. Trigger plate has usual pineapple finial. Trigger guard with arms on bow has S# on tang. Stock of lightly veined European walnut measures 14 5/8" over steel butt plate with long tang engraved with arms. Flat top point pattern checkering is at grip. Stock attaches to barrels with captive sidebolt through oval silver escutcheons. A greenheart ramrod with brass tip and tail (worm under tail) mounts through two plain pipes and pineapple decorated thimble. A rectangular silver crest plate at top of grip is engraved with a horses head rampant. MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: DAH: 2 5/8". DAC: 1 3/4". CAST: neutral. LOP: 14 5/8" WEIGHT: 7 lb. 6 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun is housed in its original mahogany case with sliding lock fastener and key lock having teardrop shaped bone escutcheon. Top of case is fitted with circular "D" ring handle, central medallion is engraved with horses head matching crest found on gun. Case is lined in green cloth and Joseph Manton label in lid is of the type used between 1820-1825. Bottom compartment is fitted with platform for locks and contains a fine array of accessories that appear to be original; including tin and brass powder measure with angeled spout marked "PATENT", a shot flask with pullout spout, correct for period two piece greenheart and brass cleaning rod with flattened handle, two shot and powder containers by Sykes, steel ring with holders for tubes, wad punch marked "16" and the original key. CONDITION: fine as somewhat refurbished. Barrels retaining over 85% old re-brown most likely done when barrels were shortened for some reason as they are 2" short of fitting their original case. Breech iron and locks retain about 30% of their case hardening color. Trigger guard and buttplate retain about 30% of their original blue. Stock retains most of its original finish with considerable wear at grip and forend. Bores are bright, lightly frosted. Locks are fine. Case shows a large number of bumps and scratches of what appears to be its original finish. A two foot crack is along front edge. Interior cloth is good to very good with many rubs and marks, label is considerably foxed and with some rubs through. Accessories are generally very good to fine. (01-22000/MGM). ANTIQUE. $6,000-12,000.