Manton was known as the man who took Brit firearms mfg out of the blacksmith shops. Purdey was his first apprentice. Purdey started his own business in about 1814. Manton's problem is that he was enamored by the new caplock guns. He made them and some were not very effective causing him some lawsuits. He was also sued by copying some caplocks with patents by others. As a result, he went under and his great name was sold out to others...apparently time after time. His brother was also in the business. An original flintlock Manton would be the greatest toy I could imagine.
