A CASED 14 BORE FLINTLOCK CONVERTED TO CAPLOCK SPORTING GUN BY JOHN MANTON AND SON

An excellent Cased 14 bore Flintlock, converted to Caplock, Shotgun by John Manton & Son with superb 32” barrels and mint bore that was owned by Capt Frederick Shelton of 93rd Highlanders who stood in the famous ‘Thin Red Line’ at the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimea facing down the Russian Cavalry on 25th October 1854.

This previously unrecorded shotgun serial number 6808 was originally made in flintlock in 1819 and converted to caplock by John Manton & Son circa 1830-1840. Excellent browned damascus twist barrel which has a mint polished bore (the best I have ever seen) signed on central rib by the maker. Superb finely engraved locks signed John Manton & Son PATENT with near perfect original case hardening post conversion. Hammers with detachable cap shrouds. Figured walnut stock with some shrinkage around the lock with all steel furniture, typical quality Manton engraving. In its original case complete with accessories and copperplate John Manton & Son trade label inside lid. Bone lifter to lidded detached lock compartment. Lift ring handle with case escutcheon with owners name, Capt Fr. Shelton, 93rd Highlanders. Front of case either side of lock on top flat has Manton & Co - Calcutta stamped in capitals which is found on Mantons where the individual, such as in this case, may have visited the Manton Calcutta Branch for supplies.

Please note that the Ivory Key escutcheon and compartment lifter handle have been removed to comply with current legislation. They will be replaced with a suitable replacement prior to sale.

The Thin Red Line is a famous part of the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War when a few hundred 93rd Highlanders heavily outnumbered stopped the Russian Cossacks cavalry charge. Captain Shelton was a casualty in the battle and retired from the Army by sale of his commission a few weeks after on 10 November 1854 - ‘Lieutenant Burroughs by purchase vice Shelton who retires’ (Army List 1855 page 284).

Further details of the Thin Red Line engagement can be found in many books and online.

Frederick Shelton;-

Ensign 98th Foot - 24 January 1840.

Lieutenant 98th Foot - 18 December 1840.

Captain 98th Foot, vice Lovett 4th April 1849. (Army List 1849 page 239)

Transferred to 93rd by exchange with Captain Crawford on 27 December 1850.

Casualty October 1854. Retired November 1854.

Grave at Cheltenham Borough Cemetery, Gloucestershire - “In memory of Frederick Shelton. Captain 98th and 93rd Regts. Died December 30th 1898. Aged 78”

PRICE £9,950

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