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1844 John Manton converted to pinfire
https://auctions.holtsauctioneers.c...+++942+&refno=+++76123&saletype=

JOHN MANTON & SON, LONDON
A CASED 16-BORE PINFIRE DOUBLE-BARRELLED SPORTING-GUN, serial no. 10983,
for 1840-44 and probably converted from cap-lock, with re-browned 28 3/4in. twist barrels, the top-rib signed 'JOHN MANTON & SONS DOVER STREET LONDON', scroll engraved top-tang, border and floral scroll engraved locks, the action-body signed 'JNO MANTON SON & COE', walnut half-stock chequered at the wrist, iron heel-plate with engraved long top-spur, trigger-guard tang engraved with game birds, scroll engraved flared action-body, fully chequered walnut splinter fore-end, TOGETHER WITH a period mahogany storage case, lined in green baize with a John Manton & Son parchment trade-label to the inside of lid and containing a pinfire loading tool together with other sundry loading items

John Manton died in 1834. In 1833 William Hudson became a partner and until his death ( early 1840`s ) the firm became known as Manton and Hudson though always employing the wording John Manton and Son on their guns. When John died George Henry Manton ( Son of John ) took his nephew Gildon Manton into the business. In march 1840 the firm were describing themselves as John Manton and Co.

George and Henry did not get on together with the business one wanted to keep it how it was and one wanted to modernise so at this time fewer of the high class John Manton and Son guns were made with individual serial numbers. Now the locks were just marked Manton and as a general rule were of the back action type, barrels were made in Birmingham and proved at the Birmingham proof house. The weapons sold were serviceable double barrel sporting guns and were not comparable in quality to John Manton's, many of these guns were exported to America.

In 1851 John Manton and Son exhibited in the great exhibition of 1851 at the crystal palace.
George Henry died in 1854 the management of the gun business passed into Gildons hands. In 1856 Gilden became ill and died after going out hunting and getting wet through.

Now Mrs Gildon Manton was left with the business on her hands with no male member of the family left to help her. By 1862 very few fine guns were being made only around twelve a year, shortly after this time probably 1868 the firm was changed to John Manton Son and Coe, Coe being the foreman of the business who now became a partner, gradually Charles Coe took over more and more of the business Mrs Manton eventually sold it to him he however did not have the ability to run it properly and in 1878 it went into voluntary liquidation.

No 6 Dover street was demolished in the 1890`s to make way for the Dover street tube station of the Piccadilly line. John Manton and Son Ltd is now a business again making high end guns.

Thanks for the excellent summary BB. I was wondering what were the proof-marks on the gun.

Stephen, Check out HOLTS UNSOLD items from their sealed bid sale.....a Harvey of Exeter pinfire with a previously unrecorded action! You will have to be quick as this may go in the next few days! David