Manton Rifle Muskets
It is speculated that these were second-class arms made under Whitney's State of Connecticut contract. Another theory is that E. Whitney assembled these arms using various imported parts and attempted to capitalize on the Manton, who was a respected English gun maker, name. Regardless, a total of 1,385 were purchased by Fitch & Waldo who marketed them under the spurious "Manton" trademark. To whom these were sold remains unknown. Barrels bear English barrel markings indicating foreign purchase of some parts, a V/P/star proof marks and are marked G.W.Q. on the left flat. The rear sight has a whitney base with a single leaf .The mountings are iron except to a pewter nose cap. The lockplate is engraved Manton in old english letters infront of the hammer and under bolster. The date is marked vertically behind the hammer 1862.
| Manton Lockplate Markings |
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