Joseph Manton Montreal Under Lever 12

[John Gardner]

Stepped - briefly - out of the Parker box when a Canadian under lever hammer gun came up at auction recently. Hammer guns are my weakness and even though the piggy bank is badly broken couldn't resist a Hail Mary bid. (particularly as it was in Canadian dollars). Trying to tell myself it was good that I missed a couple Parkers I would have gone for if I was at the auction (internet bidding is both good / bad) but probably ended up saved from the feared spousal wrath. :whistle:

12 gauge, 30" Damascus, LOP 14 1/8, locks up tight without the fore end, bores look almost too good. To me I believe it could be an older restoration (case color under the lever etc.) that has since been worn in and developed a patina - but the fit is all good.

Can't find out too much about this maker listed from 1859-1906 in Montreal but apparently no connection to the noted Manton family of London.

"Joseph Manton was born in Birmingham, England on March 10, 1830. He moved to Montreal, Quebec sometime in 1859. He had a brother, William Shakespeare Manton, born December 17, 1816 who moved to Kingston, Ontario sometime before 1844. Both men made firearms in Canada, but I believe Joseph was the only one to hold a patent for firearms."

Interestingly the gun's serial numbers are clearly 2352 on barrels, receiver and fore end but the trigger guard is definitely 2332. Mistake? One more clue to it not being original?

Looks like it was a decent gun in it's day, it's my only Canadian hammer gun, and I am certainly enjoying it!

Would love to know when it was actually made. Any info greatly appreciated.

[Rick Losey]

Some dating might be possible with the proof marks from the barrels

I'll be guessing they will document a Birmingham birth certificate

Nice looking gun.

[John Gardner]

Thanks Rick your right the barrel proofs should narrow the dating. I understand most of the barrels came from Birmingham as Canada didn't have a recognized proof house then (or a source of barrels)

[John Campbell]

Mr. Gardner:
A most fine gun indeed!

And yes. The barrel proofs will be about as close as you can come to dating the gun. The numbers in British Gunmakers do not seem to line up. But one thing is certain: It IS a B'ham gun.

The serial No. mix is a mistake by the engraver. I'm also certain of that. It happens.

The only odd bit is the lever pivot pin and bushing. They seem oddly plain for some reason. Perhaps just worn...

With appropriate loads that Jones gun should outlast you. Enjoy!

[Rick Losey]

Thanks Rick your right the barrel proofs should narrow the dating. I understand most of the barrels came from Birmingham as Canada didn't have a recognized proof house then (or a source of barrels)

not just the barrels, since we can see the mark on the water table

Birmingham makers would supply finished guns with someone else's name, or parts in the white for other makers to finish

[George Stanton]

Pretty gun. Just looking at it I'd guess early half of the 1870's. Maybe late 1860's. High hammers, wedge forend and ornate percussion style fences.

[Kevin McCormack]

Outstanding gun! - Especially love the "Louis XIV hammers"!!

[John Gardner]

Thank you gentlemen for the observations and kind comments. John your quite right about the pivot pin. It looks to be a definite replacement. Rick apprciate the heads up about the receiver - those marks were staring me in the face and I didn't make the connection. I'll get a chance on the weekend to research the proof marks and try to get a decent picture of the barrel flats posted. Hopefully I can find some more info on Manton as well or pictures of other Manton guns.