Historical Cased Set Of English Percussion Pocket Pistols By John Manton And Son Circa 1830

A Truly Fantastic And Historical Cased Set Of English Percussion Pocket Pistols By John Manton And Son Gunmakers To The Royal Family (No. 6 Dover Street, London) Circa 1830.

The Lid Escutcheon Bearing The Arms Of The 5th Duke Of Marlborough (Ancestor Of Winston Churchill. 1 and 1/2 inch smoothbore octagonal barrels. .44 caliber. The barrels finely engraved. The engraved breech section finely engraved bearing the maker’s name. “JN. Manton & Son” “Dover St. London”.

The frames very finely engraved with scrolls and line engraved borders. Folding triggers with border engraving and particularly elegant engraving on frame tang. Figured walnut butts exhibit the very finest checkering with vacant thumb piece within lozenge panel. Silver lion mask pommels.

The original fine walnut case is all original with elaborate Manton trade label. The accessories comprise a wonderful and extremely rare miniature red leather covered three way powder flask which retains much original bright fire gilding to spout, original combination ramrod and worm, original barrel wrench, and original bullet mold. Lovely original wine red lining. Condition is very fine throughout with some original finish on steel surfaces and excellent stocks.

George Spencer Churchill. 5th Duke of Marlborough, 1766-1840, was a noted collector of antiquities. He was also a scoundrel and “disgrace to the illustrious name of Churchill. To quote from a contemporary diarist: “The present Duke is overloaded with debt, is very little better than a common swindler”.

Actions are ultra crisp and bores are good. 6 inches overall. A superb, unusually complete set of Manton’s and with a unique and colorful Ducal ownership.