I bought a J Manton last year, twist barrelled, top lever hammer gun. I was even more ignorant of the gun trade then than now. With vague memories of reading Col Hawker years ago, I thought I was buying a plain gun by a famous maker. Then somebody at the gun club told me about this site and I read about JABC's falsely labeled as J Manton and thought I had a fine example. Then I read about proofmarks and looked under the barrels, Birmingham proofs.
Just a week ago I bought a learner/project gun, a rusty, dented, loose, cracked etc. 16 ga top lever hammer gun with chain damascus barrels . Barrel and locks say Lovell Arms Co, Boston, Eureka Gun. Also Birmingham proofs. Clearly out of the same shop although better original grade and much worse present condition.
Looking on line for a replacement buttplate for the cracked one on the 16, I saw the same design, except flat and unspurred, assigned to J.P. Clabrough.
I would post pics, but my wife can't find where she stashed the cable to connect the new camera to the computer.
