Powder tester
John Manton (1752-1834) or Joseph Manton (1766-1835)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1800
Materials
iron, wood
Measurements
105 x 145 mm
Order this imageCollection
Dunster Castle, Somerset
NT 725976
Summary
Flintlock powder tester or "eprouvette" by Manton of London (either John (1752 – 1834) or Joseph (1766 - 1835).
Full description
Flintlock powder tester or pistol form by Manton of London (either John (1752 – 1834) or Joseph (1766 - 1835). The celebrated London gunmakers were appointed gunmakers to George IV and supplied firearms to the elite of society.They also supplied guns to the East India Company. Iron boxlock frame of pistol form, profusely engraved on each side with foliate designs and signed within oval , MANTON (on the left side) and LONDON (on the right side). Flintlock action of common boxlock with an integral breech, the lower part of the frame formed wit 2 projections to hold the calibrated testing wheel; centrally mounted cock and frizzen and and wheel holder.The steel testing wheel with engraved calibrations 1 to 12; the wheel controlled by a spring mounted on the underside of frame. The trigger has no provision for a trigger guard. Plain slab-sided figured walnut grip. Overall length: 14.6cm
Marks and inscriptions
Frame sides: MANTON (on the left side) and LONDON (on the right side).
Makers and roles
John Manton (1752-1834) or Joseph Manton (1766-1835) , gunsmith Joseph Manton (1766-1835), gunsmith John Manton (1752-1834), gunsmith
References
Blackmore, 1986: Howard Blackmore: A Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850