Magnificent John Manton and Son, 17-bore, Double barreled, Flintlock Sporting Gun, ca. 1817. SOLD
John Manton and Son, London. Magnificent 17-bore double barreled Sporting Gun, #6324, made in 1817 for Henry James Montagu-Scott, 2nd 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).
SOLD





