Thomas Del Mar - Arms & Armour

539
A PAIR OF FLINTLOCK DUELLING PISTOLS BY JOSEPH
MANTON, LONDON, NO.6226 FOR 1814
with heavy octagonal barrels fitted with silver fore-sights,
stamped with the barrelsmith’s initials ‘WF’ for William Fullerd
beneath and numbered ‘3’ behind the ramrod channel, casehardened
patent breeches stamped with the platinum-lined
maker’s stamp and inlaid with a platinum line, platinum vents,
engraved case-hardened breech tangs incorporating standing
back-sights, signed detented bolted locks engraved with border
ornament and flowers on the tails, rainproof pans and rollers,
patent steels numbered ‘6099’ and ‘6100’ respectively, figured
walnut half-stocks numbered in ink beneath the breeches (one
fore-end with very small chips), chequered butts, engraved
steel mounts including trigger-guards decorated with trophiesof-arms
carrying the serial numbers on the bow, pineapple
finials and retaining traces of original blued finish, butt-caps,
blued moulded rear ramrod-pipes, horn fore-end caps, silver
barrel bolt escutcheons, vacant silver escutcheons, and horntipped
wooden ramrods, perhaps the original: in their original
mahogany case with flush-fitting brass carrying handle, the lid
applied with trade label, and the compartment lids each
inscribed with the serial number in ink (the label with small
tears and very light staining)
37.5cm; 14N in
Provenance:
Probably General Sir Martin Hunter
J. D. Bates Esq. (by descent)
Literature:
W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back, The Mantons: Gunmakers,
250
539
London 1966, p.254
General Sir Martin Hunter (1757-1846) was appointed Ensign
in the 52nd Regiment of Foot in which he became Lieutenant
18th June 1775, Captain 21st November 1777 and Major 30th
October 1790. He was with his regiment at Bunker’s Hill, and
was at the blockade of Boston by Washington. He made the
campaigns of 1776-78 including the Battle of Long Island and
Brandywine and the storming of Fort Washington. He
accompanied his regiment to India and was the Brigade-Major
there: leading the Light Infantry that stormed the breech at the
Siege of Cannanore. As senior Captain and Regimental Major
he commanded his regiment in the campaigns against Tippoo
Sahib in 1790-92 and was shot through the arm and body in
the attack on Tippoo’s camp before Seringapatam in 1792. He
was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in the newly raised 91st
Foot in 1794 and was transferred in 1796 to the 60th Royal
Americans. He served with that regiment in the West Indies,
commanding them under Sir Ralph Abercromby at the
capture of Trinidad and the attempt of Porto Rico. He
exchanged into the 48th regiment of Foot which he
commanded in Minorca, at Leghorn and at the Reduction of
Malta. In 1803 he was appointed a Brigadier General in North
America and commanded the troops in Nova Scotia. He acted
for a time as Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. He was
appointed Colonel of the New Brunswick Fencibles in 1803
and in 1810 was made Colonel of the old 104th foot formed
out of the New Brunswick Fencibles. He became Lieutenant-
General in 1812 and General in 1825. He was a Knight
Bachelor, G.C.M.G. and G.C.H. and Governor of Stirling Castle.
£6000-8000
END OF SALE