2228

SCARCE JOHN MANTON & SON SINGLE PERCUSSION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
SCARCE JOHN MANTON & SON SINGLE PERCUSSION RIFLE.

Cal. 61. S# 9894 (1830). The 32" octagon twist steel barrel with underrib is engraved "John Manton & Son DOVER STREET" on top flat behind single standing "U" notch rear sight. Front bead is platinum. Bottom of barrel is stamped with S#, British proofs and "23". Patent breech with S# on hook and vented platinum blow out is engraved with acanthus and scroll. Breech iron without fence is also engraved with acanthus scroll. Lock of usual Manton type for the period, which attaches to patent breech with screw from left is fitted with early style flat bodied hammer with stylized dolphin head. Lock is fitted with back sliding safety that engages hammer at half cock. A fly is fitted into tumbler. Lock is engraved with 70% coverage open scrolling acanthus with coiled sea monster highlights. "JOHN MANTON & SON" "PATENT" is at center. Trigger plate with set trigger has acanthus engraved pineapple finial, trigger guard with acanthus scroll on bow has S# at top of scrolled tang forming grip. Lightly figured dense European walnut stock measures 14 1/8" over steel buttplate with acanthus engraved long top tang. Stock features flattened toeline, swept right hand shadow line cheekpiece and flat checkering at grip. Top of grip is set with silver rectangle engraved with the crown of an Earl over three fanned arrows tied at center. Forend tip is horn and stock attaches to barrel with captive sidebolt through oval silver escutcheons. An ebony ramrod with horn tip and brass tail mounts through two plain pipes and beaded steel thimble. CONDITION: very good. Barrel retaining a considerable amount of its original brown with good definition to pattern under lightly pitted surface. There are traces of original color on breech plug and lock plate. Engraving remains clear. Other metal parts show cleaning to dark gray. Stock shows a considerabe number of marks and dings in the remainder of its original finish. Bore is fine to very fine, shiny with some light scattered pitting. Lock is fine, safety is operable. Set trigger works. Rifle is not listed in "THE MANTONS: GUNMAKERS". It appears that John Manton made very few rifles either double or single. This rifle would be an ideal companion for any primitive weapon hunting season. (01-23001/MGM). ANTIQUE. $5,000-9,000.