As I recall from the "Mantons," James Purdey said "were it not for Joe Manton we would be but a parcel of blacksmiths." Joe Manton said that "Purdey gets up the best work, next to mine."
I have worked on a number of Mantons pictured in that book and let me assure the readers, they are exquisite. In my opinion the Mantons set the standard for best work and others even into the cartridge era just maintained it.
The quality of work done by those men with the tools, material, and the lighting of those days is beyond outstanding.
The Manton books by Neal and Back as well as the Dallas books on Boss, H&H, and Purdey are worth every penny.
