2020 September Premier, Volume I

248
LOT 283
Scarce and Very Fine Cased Pair
of Engraved and Silver Mounted
Manton Marked Percussion
Pistols with Four Extra Barrels
-A) English Percussion Pistol - NSN,
44 cal., 10 inch octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened/silver/blue finish,
walnut stock. Cased pairs of antique
muzzle loading pistols are a staple of
any antique gun collection, but cased
pairs with multiple matching barrel
sets are very scarce. This scarce and
well-made set of early percussion
pistols would have been suitable for
target shooting, dueling, military
service, and self-defense depending
on the set of barrels equipped at the
time. It is a product of the expansive
Birmingham gun trade and does not
have serial numbers. The general style
and quality of the set is similar to
genuine Manton pistols. The markings
on the silver furniture dates the set to
1824 or shortly thereafter. The locks
are signed “Manton” and have scroll
and border engraving and sliding
safeties. The barrels are Birmingham
proofed. The pistols are fitted with
10 inch barrels with .44 caliber rifled
bores and include an extra pair of 10
inch barrels with .44 caliber smooth
bores and a pair of 7 1/8 inch barrels
with .50 caliber rifled bores. Each of
these lengths includes the breech
plugs which are casehardened and
have platinum bands and plugs. Half
of the barrels have “1” on the bottom
of the barrels and breech plugs, back
of the breech hooks, and the other
half have “2” in the same locations.
Gun “A” has a “2” next to the breech hook slot, and “B”
has a “1.” The short barrels are inscribed “London” on
top in ornate script, and each of the barrels has scroll
engraving at the muzzle and breech and dovetailed
silver blade front sights. The casehardened upper
tangs have notch rear sights and floral engraving.
The ramrod entry pipes and trigger guards are blued
and also have floral and scroll engraving. The pistols
are equipped with adjustable single set triggers. The
forend caps, wedge escutcheons, wrist escutcheons,
and attractive lion head pommel caps are all silver. The
latter have “F&J” maker marks (likely Freeth & Jennings) and Birmingham hallmarks for 1824 (script “A”). The set comes in a fitted hardwood case with a
reproduction Joseph Manton trade label inside the lid, several rods, a powder flask, mallet, two ball molds, a nipple wrench, and some lead balls.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original brown and blue finish, strong original case colors, dark aged patina on the silver, minimal minor spotting,
and some minor marks and scratches. The stock is likewise very fine and has crisp checkering, smooth finish, and some very minor scratches and
dings. Mechanically excellent. The additional barrels are also very fine and on average retain 85% plus original brown finish and strong case colors on
the breech plugs and exhibit minor storage wear. The relined, repatitioned case is good and has some cracks and moderate wear. The mallet head is
cracked and chipped. The other accessories are generally fine or better and have some age and storage related wear.
B) English Percussion Pistol - NSN, 44 cal., 10 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/silver/blue finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very fine with 75% plus original brown, 85% original blue finish, strong original case colors, dark natural aged patina on the silver, slight
spotting on the barrel, and some minor marks and scratches. The stock is very fine aside from a small chip on the left edge at the breech and has crisp
checkering, smooth finish, and minimal handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive and scarce set of English percussion
pistols complete with rare additional pairs of barrels which would have made them especially versatile for a 19th century gentleman.
Estimate: 16000 - 22500