The Collection

John Manton and Son, London. An absolutely stunning 14-bore, cased double barreled, Flintlock Sporting Gun, #10571, made in 1830 for the Earl of Plymouth, Robert Henry Clive (1789-1854), grandson of Robert Clive (1725-1774) who was also known as "Clive of India". Weight: 7 lbs. Stock dimensions: 14 ¼" LOP. Superb 31 3/4" Damascus barrels with absolutely pristine breeches, unaltered bores (.701"/.701"), and thick walls (.056"/.056") at the muzzles, retaining most of the original external finish. Stepped-in breeches engraved and with platinum lines inlaid fore-and-aft also have platinum-lined touch holes and retain much of the original hardening colors. The ramrod is original as is the spare that accompanies the gun. The peerless quality locks, retaining much original finish have deep-V pans (without platinum divider bars) and gooseneck cocks. The hammers have been struck a few times but, like the breeches, show little-or-no evidence of ever being used in the field. Absolutely mechanically perfect with extremely powerful main and feather springs as you would expect from this Maker! Beautifully engraved iron mounts retain much of the original dark blue finish with some of the finish worn off the trigger guard tang and butt plate. Nicely figured walnut stock has a few handling marks and a minor repair to the mortise just above the bar of the right lock. Overall the stock retains virtually all the original finish with sharp, crisp, checkering at the wrist. Silver wrist escutcheon, showing no wear, is engraved with a griffin and torse over the owners initials, "RHC". The whole in the original mahogany case with a complete compliment of original accessories including spare ramrod, stout 3-piece loading rod, Hawksley pigskin leather-covered powder flask signed in ink by hand, " G.H.W. Windsor-Clive", over an abbreviation for the Coldstream Guards referring to Lieutenant Colonel George Herbert Windsor Windsor-Clive (1835-1918), the second son of Robert Clive and younger brother of the original owner. Also included in the case are a leather flint wallet containing spare flints and two spare side nails, wad punch, double turnscrew, pan brush, and original key to the case ... all in fine condition. Overall a magnificent, incredibly rare, original set, with impeccable provenance, mechanically absolutely perfect, the whole remaining in superb condition throughout, and suitable for the finest collection or use in the field today. Not likely you will ever see a finer example offered for sale !! Provenance: Made in 1830 for the Earl of Plymouth, Robert Henry Clive (1789-1854), grandson of Robert Clive (1725-1774) who was also known as "Clive of India". Purchased by my friend, Norm Blank, around 1962 directly from the Earl of Plymouth's estate in a sale facilitated by Keith Neal. Ownership passed to Lewis Drake in 2023. Price: On Request

John Manton and Son, London. Magnificent 17-bore double barreled Sporting Gun, #6324, made in 1817 for Henry James Montagu-Scott, 2 nd Baron Montagu of Boughton (16 December 1776 – 30 October 1845) . Weight: 6 ¾ Lbs. Stock Dimensions: 14 5/8”x 1 3/8”x 2 5/8”x st. Superb 28” Damascus barrels (possibly shortened for the owner early-on by Manton) have brilliant bores (.647”/.647”) and retain much of the original finish. Beautiful locks with typical John Manton "French" cocks have extremely powerful main and hammer springs which, along with the stepped-in breeches, would make for very fast ignition. John Manton Patent deep-V pans were the order of the day for Manton when this gun was made and the conventional pans on these locks were likely at the owner’s behest. Nicely engraved locks retain much of the original hardening colors and internals are still brilliant. Feather Springs with rollers retain most of the original fire blue finish. Hammers have been struck a few times but overall the locks show little, if any, evidence of actually being fired. The mounts are engraved en suite and retain most of the original brilliant dark blue finish except for the heel of the butt plate. The nicely figured stock, with silver escutcheon at the wrist engraved with a crown over the letter, “M”, is overall in fine condition with the exception of a few bruises and a couple of filled-in areas near the heel of the butt. The Whole in the original Maker’s Mahogany case with a complete compliment of original accessories (bow-tie turnscrew a modern replacement) and original spare parts consisting of 2 hammers, 2 top jaws, 1 top jaw screw, 1 cock screw, and a spare side nail. Overall an absolutely stunning gun retaining much original finish throughout, showing virtually little-or-no evidence of actual use in the field, made by one of, perhaps THE greatest, British gunmaker ever to draw breath. A great rarity to find in this condition and suitable for the finest collection or for use in the field today. Provenance: Henry James Montagu-Scott, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton (16 December 1776 – 30 October 1845) , to his nephew Walter Francis, 5th Duke of Buccleuch" and "By descent to Henry Montagu Douglas Scott, later 1st Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, (Gns. 1800), R.J. Wigington (Arbour Antiques, Ltd., Stratford-Upon-Avon) . SALE PENDING

Gamebore, "Traditional Game" , 28ga. Shot Shells, 2 1/2" case, #7 Shot. Price: $40 per box of 25 

Lyalvale Shot Shells, 2" chamber, 13/16 oz. (23 gm) load, #7 Shot. Price: $50 per Box of 25

Extremely rare hand-forged Damascus, “Alaska Skinning Knife Set”, custom made for me around 25 years ago by my Dear Friend and fellow long-bow hunter, Joe Keeslar. Smaller knife is 9” OAL with 5 ½” blade. The larger knife is 10 ¾” OAL with 6 ½” blade. Ideal set for use on largest North American Game and most African Plains Game. Joe told me recently that he only made “a couple” of these sets. Leather sheath for both knives complete with whetstone. Peerless quality throughout! Price On Request 

Superb, rare, hand-forged Damascus, “Survival Knife”, made for me around 20 years ago by my Dear Friend, Joe Keeslar. 13 ½” OAL with 8 ½” blade. Ingenious quick-release shoulder sheath for a right-handed person keeps the knife safely and very comfortably tucked away, with handle slanted downward, just beneath your left armpit, out-of-the-way, yet instantly available if the need arises. Great position for hunting or concealed carry if someone is so inclined. Also, does not interfere with walking through dense brush, climbing into a tree stand, or shooting a longbow from any position. Joe told me he might have made ten or twelve shoulder rigs like this with several different blade styles. Peerless quality in every respect. Price: $6800

A rare original Camp Axe and “Brut de Forge” Skinning Knife set, hand-forged from an old file for me many years ago by my dear friend, fellow longbow hunter, and renowned Master Bladesmith, Joe Keeslar. The axe is 10 ½” OAL and the knife is 8 ½” OAL with a 5” hollow ground blade. Custom leather combination sheath by the maker. Joe thought he “might have made five or six sets similar to this over the years”. Price: SOLD

Stunning 2002 Corvette Coupe complete with Dual Removable Roof Panels. Ordered by Dwain Taylor Chevrolet, Murray, KY, and delivered from the Corvette Final Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, KY. The car was purchased new from Taylor Chevrolet by a gentleman in Murray KY. I, the second owner, purchased it from him with 15,000 miles on it. It currently has 17,061 on the odometer. Always has resided in a heated garage in Murray, KY. Since I purchased the car I have had installed 4 new tires (original tires have good tread and come with the car), two new fuel pumps (one in each tank), a new fuel pump relay, a new Alternator, changed the oil, and serviced the drive train. There is no damage history and I don't believe there is a single scratch or blemish on the body. The original Owners Manual with the original VHS tape accompany the car along with the original Window Invoice which has been framed. The engine has been wiped down with a damp cloth to remove a light layer of dust. no solvents, chemicals, or silicone materials were used no pressure sprayer has ever been used on either the engine compartment or anywhere else on the vehicle. Runs, drives, and handles like a dream. You would be hard pressed to find a better vintage "Vette" for the money!! Price: $34,500

Manton & Co., London and Calcutta. A very nice percussion 6-bore “Ball and Shot” gun, ca. 1860. Weight: 10 Lbs. Fine 33 ½” octagonal Damascus smooth-bore barrel with fine, clean, bore retaining most of the original finish. Breech retains much of the original hardening color. False breech very nicely scroll engraved. Peerless quality, nicely engraved, Brazier rifle lock with 4-screw, pierced, bridle and a fly in the tumbler suggesting it was intended to be used primarily as a, 1028 grain, Round-Ball gun on dangerous game at relatively close range. Iron mounts engraved en suite with no original finish, otherwise showing no wear whatever. Good Walnut stock with some minor bruising is nicely figured with crisp checkering showing little use and no abuse. Original maker’s case, lined with green baize and original trade label, containing a nice complement of proper period accessories. At a range of 40-70 yards these smooth-bore Ball-Guns are, if loaded properly, quite accurate and develop significantly greater muzzle energy, which translates into greater stopping power, than a rifle using the same charge and bullet weight. Overall a best quality Ball-Gun in fine mechanical condition and ready for the field. Price: $12,500