Joseph Manton innovated sport shooting, improved weapon quality and paved the way for the modern artillery shell.
12 Facts About Joseph Manton
1.
2.
From 1780 to 1781, Joseph Manton was first apprenticed to a gunmaker in Grantham, Newton.
3.
Joseph Manton worked under his elder brother John from 1781 onward.
4.
Joseph Manton produced around 100 weapons annually, including both cased duelling pistols and shotguns.
5.
The greater part of Joseph Manton's career was spent at loggerheads with the British Army.
6.
Joseph Manton advocated the use of a disposable cartridge instead of loose powder, which became the basis for modern bullet design.
7.
Joseph Manton's design was superior, although an argument over payment caused the army to declare it of little benefit.
8.
The army offered him one farthing for each shell they produced, but Joseph Manton refused this offer.
9.
Joseph Manton was frightened that he had spent time and money developing a weapon that the army would not use.
10.
The Army rejected his offer, whereby the army could make the shells without paying royalties, while Joseph Manton would make the wooden cups.
11.
Joseph Manton's design was more reliable than Forsyth's design and adopted by many sportsmen during the Regency period.
12.
Joseph Manton's workforce included James Purdey, Thomas Boss, William Greener, Charles Lancaster and William Moore.