John Manton duelling pistols – £16,000 at Anthony Cribb.
Signed in gold to the 10in (25cm) damascus barrels Manton London, the best-known name among London gunsmiths, this cased pair of 25-bore flintlock duelling pistols led the specialist arms and armour sale held by Antony Cribb (22% buyer’s premium) at Abingdon on July 24.
The work of John Manton in 1798, the guns had all the luxurious appointments a wealthy Georgian buck would expect – gold-lined breech and touch holes, star burst and floral engravings – and came with all accessories.