Joseph Manton 50. cal percussion .50 Cal Muzzleloader Muzzleloader

50.cal. percussion belt pistol, with belt clip, and 4.5" octagonal barrel, on which is inscribed,(on top flat) Manton, London, and on the underside are 2 proof marks from a Birmingham proof house dated 1813-1855.

Joseph Manton,a highly renowned gunsmith, working originally with Flintlocks and undertaking years of development work for the Military, which due to non-payment lead to his bankruptcy in 1826- but his work eventually contributed largely to the development of the self-contained charge, or bullet of today. This gun was probably made somewhere from early 1800's to his bankruptcy in 1826. The action works perfectly, hammer holding in half and full cock, and firing in full cock,captive swivel ramrod works as it should. The gun has a finely chequered hardwood bag shape grip. Scroll engraving to frame, hammer and trigger guard. After Manton was made bankrupt, his workers took over his business and they included James Purdey, William Greener, Thomas Boss and others-

all well known names to this day.