190 MELTON AND HOMESPUN 



Manton was the only gunmaker in the kingdom worthy 

 the name) was wont to post up to London from his 

 favourite fowling-grounds to discuss " charges " and 

 " pieces " with " Joe " : when single-trigger, hammerless 

 ejectors, or, for that matter, " percussion guns," were un- 

 dreamed of ; the days before Manton patented and placed 

 upon the market the double-barrelled shot-gun, and built 

 one of those " newfangled toys " to the order of the 

 Marquis of Rockingham for the pretty fee of 450 guineas. 

 We warrant the ancient weapon could unfold a tale 

 worthy the listening. 



And now, having spoken of one of Joe Manton 's works 

 of art, a few words anent the biography of the artist 

 himself may not be incongruous, perhaps. 



Joseph Manton was the younger son of John Manton, 

 of Grantham, Lines, in which town he (Joe) first saw 

 the light, in 1766. Like his brother John, he was appren- 

 ticed to a local gunmaker. John Manton, jun., migrated 

 to London in 1788, started gunmaking at No. 6 Dover- 

 street, Piccadilly, and remained there until his death, the 

 business being carried on in his name until 1865. 



Joe first came to London in the year 1790, for the 

 purpose of taking out a patent for one of his own inven- 

 tions. The Government offered to purchase the patent 

 for the sum of 500, but Joe, having expended double 

 that amount upon the invention, refused this " generous " 

 offer, to the displeasure of the then Duke of Richmond, 

 who curtly advised the young man from the Fen country 

 to bring out his patent as best he might. Two years 

 later Joe Manton found himself established at 25 Davies- 

 street, Berkeley-square, and his first patent " for im- 

 provements in fire-arms " is dated 1792. 



