Lot 87: A Unusual 18-Bore D.B. Flintlock Sporting Gun

The locks by Samuel & Charles Smith, Princes Street, London, No. 5295 for 1843, the barrels circa 1822, the remainder circa 1850 With earlier rebrowned twist barrels (light surface pitting) by Joseph Manton, No. 8791, signed 'Joseph Manton. Hanover Square. London' on the rib and numbered '1', dovetailed silver fore-sight, case-hardened recessed patent breeches also serial numbered '8791', and each with platinum line and copper-lined maker's stamp of W. Parson of Swaffham, grooved tang finely engraved with scrollwork, signed engraved case-hardened serial numbered locks each with rounded cock and tail, and inscribed respectively 'Patent 3470' and 'Patent 3471' to the rear of the swept rainproof pan, large rollers, patent steels numbered respectively '3471' and '3472' (the latter, and the right top jaw and screw and cock retaining screw all expertly replaced), figured walnut half-stock (minor bruising) without provision for a ramrod, chequered grip and fore-end, leather-covered cheek-pad (leather cracked), finely engraved iron mounts decorated with black game and pointers, chequered butt-plate numbered '1' on the tang, trigger-guard retaining traces of original blued finish, also numbered '1', and engraved with the serial number '617', scroll engraved barrel-bolt escutcheons and flush-fitting bolt, and gold escutcheon engraved with the crest and motto of Sutton (the mounts with small areas of surface pitting), London proof marks, the barrels forged by Charles Lancaster 313/4in. (80.7cm.) barrels PROVENANCE Sir Richard Sutton, 2nd Bt. (1798-1855) The Estate of the late Sir Richard V. Sutton, Bart., Benham Park, Newbury, house sale, Farebrother, Ellis & Co., 7-11 May 1951 (ex catalogue, purchased by Scamell of Salisbury) LITERATURE W.K. Neal and D.H.L. Back, The Mantons: Gunmakers, p. 271 D.H.L. Back, The Mantons 1782-1878, p. 120 NOTES For information on Sir Richard Sutton, see footnote to lot 16 Sidney Charles Scamell (1891-1973) was an antique dealer, at 46 Fisherton Street, Salisbury. He worked with his father, Charles Scamell, but established his own business by the late 1930s. Charles himself had worked with his father, Thomas Scamell in the 1890s, when they were described as furniture dealers The stock and mounts of this gun are turned out in the best London fashion, and do not appear to be by William Parson, of Market Place, Swaffham, who is recorded 1835-1864. Swaffham is 12 miles from Lyndford Hall, Norfolk, which was one of Sir Richard Sutton's residences.