AN 18-BORE DOUBLE-BARRELLED PERCUSSION SPORTING GUN BY JOHN MANTON & SON, LONDON, serial no. 776

AN 18-BORE DOUBLE-BARRELLED PERCUSSION SPORTING GUN BY JOHN MANTON & SON, LONDON, serial no. 7765, circa 1820, converted by the makers from flintlock, with 29 3/4in. rebrowned twist sighted barrels (tubes each with small welded repair) with feint signature 'JOHN MANTON & SON, DOVER STREET' on the rib, silver fore-sight, scroll engraved patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug, scroll engraved tang and signed patent locks (one hammer replaced), maple half-stock with chequered grip (chequering refreshed), engraved iron mounts, silver escutcheon and barrel-bolt escutcheons, and later brass-mounted ramrod, London proof marks, Irish registration marks 'EC-2344' for the East Riding of Cork. Literature: W. Keith Neal & D.H.L. Back, The Mantons: Gunmakers, p. 99. Footnote: The above entry notes that this gun was converted to caplock by Manton & Son using new breeches and locks. It was also noted that both barrels had been drilled through in an attempt at deactivation, hence the welded repairs.