A question for people familiar with old English game law. Would the land that Joe Manton got with his wife qualify him for a hunting certificate?
Between 1776 and 1832, one had to own a land which brought at least 100 poinds of income a year, or lease land which brought at least 150. Under the circumstances, I don't think there were many gunmakers in the period who could shoot. If Joe did, it would certainly give him an edge over the competition, in better understanding of what is required from a sporting gun.
It's known that Joe Manton went shooting at least once, in 1827 with Col. Hawker, as reflected in Hawker's diaries. But, knowing Hawker's attitude to game laws, he could have well let Joe shoot without a certificate.
