Spring 2025 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
May 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2025
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
6 BORE MANTON & CO SINGLE PERCUSSION DANGEROUS GAME GUN WITH CASE
01-26124
Cal. 6 bore
S# NSN
In the early days of hunting pachyderms a sportsman might choose a large smooth bore gun in preference to a rifle as accuracy was not much worse and, all else being equal, the muzzle energy and striking power of a smooth bore gun was significantly greater than a rifle of the same caliber! Also, the ease and ease of loading was greatly enhanced. This well balanced big bore gun has 33″ twist steel octagon barrel with under rib engraved “Manton & Co” on top flat. Bottom of barrel is stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs for 6 bore. Breech plug with scroll engraving on top does not have a blow out. Breech iron is scroll engraved. Front spring percussion lock with large flat side hammer is engraved with large open scroll. “Manton & Co” is on front of plate. Trigger plate has scroll engraved pineapple finial and scroll engraved trigger guard has tang that curls to form pistol grip. Somewhat figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over steel buttplate with long scroll engraved top tang. Point pattern checkering is at grip and a sling button is on toeline. Stock attaches to barrel with captive sidebolt through oval silver escutcheons. Ramrod is missing however it would have mounted through two plain pipes and well filed steel thimble.
MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: DAH: 1-15/16. DAC: 1-7/16″. CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-1/2″. WEIGHT: 9 lb. 12 oz.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun is housed in what appears to be its original mahogany case with inlet circular “D” ring handle. Case is lined in green cloth and a small Manton & Co label is in lid. Gun fits gun very well and bottom compartment contains a leather shot flask, steel nutcracker type ball mould marked “8”, wad punch, ebony handled nipple wrench, ebony handled cleaning jags for nipples and hammer noses and a small pewter oil bottle. A covered compartment holds some lead balls and wads.
PROVENANCE: from the renowned collection of quality sporting arms from Lewis Drake together with inventory of Lewis Drake Associates.
STATUS: ANTIQUE
