Manton 1

Posted onMay 23, 2020 1491 × 460

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Gun of Interest

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This rifle was built in the shop of John Manton in London about 1810.

Manton was a gun maker to the Royal family and, of course, many others. He was a leading innovator in improving arms of the time and is one of the fathers of the great London arms trade that was to follow. Even a common gun from his shop was made to the highest standards.

This particular rifle is a very fine and rare example of a .62 caliber sporting rifle used for large game in he early 1800’s.

At some point in its life it was converted to percussion ignition. No doubt to bring it up to modern standards in the 1820’s or after when percussion ignition became popular.

This rifle came to me because the owner wanted to put the rifle back to its original configuration.

The hammer (cock), frizzen and spring, pan, flash guards, and multiple screws had to be fabricated or filed from rough castings. Then the pan and flash guards were welded into place on the lock plate and everything hand filed to shape. All without damaging the original engraving on the lock plate. After the shaping and filing and fitting of all the parts I hand polished it to the original level of polish and color case hardened the finished product in an original style to make it look like it belongs on this fine rifle.

A nice bit of restoration to make a fine rifle even better.

Lee Shaver

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