Another Unusual Gun

[mooncoon]

the photos below are of another puzzle; the gun has a Manton carbine lock but is definitely not a Manton Carbine. It has a bore of .608 at the muzzle and is smoothbore. The barrel has British proofs on it and the bayonet in the photo does fit the gun and but also fits a percussion Enfield. There are no military stamps on the gun. 5000 Manton carbines were made but 10,000 locks were made, presumably a spare lock for every gun or alternately Manton was anticipating a second order for the carbines. I don't think the carbines were ever issued and my best guess is that the extra locks must have been sold as surplus not long after 1835. In the context that the pattern of 1839 Enfields were percussion and I think were general issue, my best guess is that the gun in the photo must have been made not long after 1835 and my guess would be for a private militia, which I think existed in England until the 1860s

 

[green]

Fitted with US M1861 rear sight which leads me to believe it was assembled from surplus US barrel and Brit parts after the US CW for sale to the trade.

 

[tiriaq]

I recall as new Manton locks being sold in the 1970s. The shower of sparks generated by one I handled was impressive.

 

[JP]

Looks like something Bannerman in the USA might have put together post civil war.

 

[mooncoon]

Fitted with US M1861 rear sight which leads me to believe it was assembled from surplus US barrel and Brit parts after the US CW for sale to the trade.

I am sure the stock was made to fit the various parts, but at what date. The puzzling thing is where did the barrel come from ? I am sure that it was made in England but because of the stock shape, I think the gun was made in the US and I don't think it was a Bannerman gun.
re Tiriaq's comment; I know of 3 Manton carbine locks locally; I have one as a separate lock, there is the one on the gun above and a friend also has one ( a separate lock only )

cheers mooncoon

 

[QM 8687]

I got a Manton barrel, from what one guy told me years ago.
ID at muzzle .772. Brass foresight assy. 24 in steel bar at bottom. 37 in length. Side hole for percussion drum. Flatt top surface at breech end. Has Manton style lug at breech. No stamps anywhere. Heavy,smooth perhaps ex military musket.
A mystery.

 

[mooncoon]

but because of the stock shape, I think the gun was made in the US and I don't think it was a Bannerman gun.


cheers mooncoon[/QUOTE)

I think I must have been thinking of the percussion rifle, that I posted shortly before the Manton lock one in this thread. I think the gun in this thread was made in England but for what purpose is the question

cheers mooncoon