Surely if the gun had been proofed in London or Birmingham there would be a crown over the V.
I'm no expert but just looking at the quality of the workmanship on this gun, I would imagine that either of the Mantons would have had an apoplectic fit if such a weapon was ever to grace their shops. The engraving is basic, the metal to metal and metal to wood fit is not good and it oozes 'knock off' to me.
Compare and contrast:
http://www.heritageguns.co.uk/Manton%20Ham/Manton%20Ham%20Details.htm Happy to be proved wrong, though!
Tim
