I have just finished re-reading my copy of the book The Mantons by W. Keith Neal and D.H.L.Back published by Herbert Jenkins.
What a fantastic book with marvelous research which must have taken an age to compile .
But how very sad to read of the demise of two truly great pioneers of gunmaking , especially that of Joseph Manton who has often been described as the father of gunmakers.
Joseph taught many including James Purdey and yet he died destitute , penniless and abandoned It is very sad to read of so many great gunsmiths who fell on hard times which include Frederick Beasley the inventor of the Purdey sidelock action still in use to this day , often copied but never bettered who also died penniless due to drink and being fired from his job at Pudey.
I heartily recommend reading this book to all shotgun enthusiasts.
Salopian
