Help with info on a Manton & Co Culcutta & Delhi Type A Mauser rifle chambered in 9.3 x 62 mm

[BushRanger]

I recently came into ownership of a lovely classic hunting rifle. It is a bolt action Type A Mauser chambered in 9.3 x 62 mm. The barrel is stamped with the following “Manton & Co Gunsmiths Cullcutta & Delhi”. I am struggling to find any information that would help me trace history about such a weapon.

I found info on Joe Manton Gunsmithing however his dates of operation don't match when the 9.3x62mm bullet was invented. So who made this rifle? Ie who owned the company?

If anyone is able to help share knowledge or info on where, when and who etc would have made this rifle I would be very interested. Or even help with where I could look further for info, i’d be grateful.

I will attach pics to assist.

Ps. (I received it already with the scope attached.)

Thanks in advance

 

[baxterb]

Nice rifle ! My understanding is that Manton was an importer of trade rifles, kind of like Army & Navy, but for the Indian market. I’ve never seen the “gunmakers” part on a rifle, but perhaps they needed to get into the repair business and changed the name. Maybe they stocked this one??

if I had to guess you have a Mauser-made rifle that was made for the Indian market. I love that Model A barrel profile. I have a replica of it on my 9.3. Curious what your barrel length is?

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Manton & Company were still making firearms in the early 1900s. I do not know if you know Derek Adams "Gomez" or not, but I traded him a .470 Manton double a few years ago. I would agree with "Baxter" that it was a stamped import for the Indian market.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Nice rifle ! My understanding is that Manton was an importer of trade rifles, kind of like Army & Navy, but for the Indian market. I’ve never seen the “gunmakers” part on a rifle, but perhaps they needed to get into the repair business and changed the name. Maybe they stocked this one??

if I had to guess you have a Mauser-made rifle that was made for the Indian market. I love that Model A barrel profile. I have a replica of it on my 9.3. Curious what your barrel length is?

Not to be picky, but I believe the rifle states Gunmakers not Gunsmiths

 

[BushRanger]

Nice rifle ! My understanding is that Manton was an importer of trade rifles, kind of like Army & Navy, but for the Indian market. I’ve never seen the “gunmakers” part on a rifle, but perhaps they needed to get into the repair business and changed the name. Maybe they stocked this one??

if I had to guess you have a Mauser-made rifle that was made for the Indian market. I love that Model A barrel profile. I have a replica of it on my 9.3. Curious what your barrel length is?

Thanks. It is a lovely old rifle but in brilliant operating condition. The barrel is 23 inch.

 

[BushRanger]

Not to be picky, but I believe the rifle states Gunmakers not Gunsmiths

Quite right. Thanks

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

For more information go to doublegunshop.com home Researching Manton and company, Calcutta.

It will give you a complete history of Manton and Company, India

 

[BushRanger]

Manton & Company were still making firearms in the early 1900s. I do not know if you know Derek Adams "Gomez" or not, but I traded him a .470 Manton double a few years ago. I would agree with "Baxter" that it was a stamped import for the Indian market.

Thanks so much for the info. I dont personally know Derek Adams but know of him through my industry. All the info I found on Manto & Co guns were of doubles, shot guns and muzzleloaders, so the info from you and “Baxter” is very helpful.
Would lovely to know how it found its way from potentially bound for India to ending up in Zim. Thanks once again

 

[BushRanger]

For more information go to doublegunshop.com home Researching Manton and company, Calcutta.

It will give you a complete history of Manton and Company, India

Just having a look at this site you kindly shared, wow…. This is perfect, great info. Really appreciate it.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Your rifle was made by Mauser Oberndorf for Manton & Co. Calcutta to retail.

Manton & Co. should not be confused with Joseph Manton (an English gunmaker of the muzzleloading era). They were merely a retailer of firearms and never actually made any of the firearms themselves. They used to order firearms from various firms in Birmingham, Germany and Belgium and would simply stipulate to have their own names stamped on the firearms. Same as Lyon & Lyon and R.B Rodda & Co. Lyon & Lyon closed shop in 1929. Manton and Rodda survived until India became independent in 1947. When the British were leaving India, these two shops were owned by Indian owners for a few more years. But import of new firearms and ammunition ended in 1947 after British rule came to an end. And both the shops eventually closed down (Rodda in 1952 and Manton in 1965).

Mauser Oberndorf also made several rifles in 10.75x68mm Mauser for Manton. Your rifle was made between 1932 and 1936.

 

[Aaron N]

Lovely rifle!

 

[baxterb]

Not to be picky, but I believe the rifle states Gunmakers not Gunsmiths

I caught and corrected that! ;-)

 

[PerH]

Scopemount is Recknagel EAW turnmount,one well liked mount for many uses.

 

[baxterb]

In another vein, this is similar to the Charles Heyer Mausers one sees from Nairobi. One can see in the old Kenya Gazettes the cavalcade of Mausers that went through his shop. Good stuff.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi BushRanger,

One of my dreams...! An autenctic Original Model A Mauser Oberndorf Sporting Rifle. And in my favorite 9,3x62!!!
To me, THE BEST factory sporting big game rifle ever made. Period.

 

[BushRanger]

Your rifle was made by Mauser Oberndorf for Manton & Co. Calcutta to retail.

Manton & Co. should not be confused with Joseph Manton (an English gunmaker of the muzzleloading era). They were merely a retailer of firearms and never actually made any of the firearms themselves. They used to order firearms from various firms in Birmingham, Germany and Belgium and would simply stipulate to have their own names stamped on the firearms. Same as Lyon & Lyon and R.B Rodda & Co. Lyon & Lyon closed shop in 1929. Manton and Rodda survived until India became independent in 1947. When the British were leaving India, these two shops were owned by Indian owners for a few more years. But import of new firearms and ammunition ended in 1947 after British rule came to an end. And both the shops eventually closed down (Rodda in 1952 and Manton in 1965).

Mauser Oberndorf also made several rifles in 10.75x68mm Mauser for Manton. Your rifle was made between 1932 and 1936.
View attachment 503950

Ah thanks so much for sharing. Im in love with this forum. You all so knowledgeable and I appreciate learning from you all. This info is exactly the sort of thing Ive been looking for. It never ceases to amaze me the depth of history that these sort of rifles hold. “Hunter-Habib” where did you find this info? Is it something i could read up on further?

 

[BushRanger]

Hi BushRanger,

One of my dreams...! An autenctic Original Model A Mauser Oberndorf Sporting Rifle. And in my favorite 9,3x62!!!
To me, THE BEST factory sporting big game rifle ever made. Period.

I agree, i absolutely love them. I first fell in love with the 9.3x62mm mauser back in 1998 when i was gifted one by a colleague. I was still learning about firearms but recall it was a k98 mauser style with the barrel with step downs as it went towards the muzzle. It was an amazing shooter but sadly it was later seized by the state in a crack down on reducing firearm ownership during sensitive times. I tried to get it back but to no avail as its now missing.
It has taken a long time to finally be in a position to re-acquire one of my dream rifles & calibers. Dont give up on your search. They are out there.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Ah thanks so much for sharing. Im in love with this forum. You all so knowledgeable and I appreciate learning from you all. This info is exactly the sort of thing Ive been looking for. It never ceases to amaze me the depth of history that these sort of rifles hold. “Hunter-Habib” where did you find this info? Is it something i could read up on further?

My pleasure. I live in that part of the world, so that's how I know about these companies. The other information, I got from "Hatari Times" by Harald Wolf.

 

[BushRanger]

My pleasure. I live in that part of the world, so that's how I know about these companies. The other information, I got from "Hatari Times" by Harald Wolf.

Thank you so much. You've been a great help.

 

[degoins]

What a treasure you have there!! If it could only talk.