Why is this John Manton frizzen/pan designed with this V?

[Larry (Omaha)]

John Manton shotguns are top of the line in my neck of the woods! I am however ignorant about his pan/frizzen bottom configuration. Any enligtenment would be appreciated.

Larry

 

[52Bore]

Self priming.
Supposedly, when you pour the powder down the bore (frizzen closed) powder will go thru the flash hole into the cover and into the pan - you can see the hole on the underside of the V-pan cover in your photo.

 

[Sam squanch]

That setup is for “wiping “ the vent face for consistent ignition. The pan holds very little priming powder, so the flash won’t distract the shooter.

 

[hawkeye2]

It's a rain proof pan. The water that ran off the barrel and stock was channeled away from the pan by the shape of the lockplate on either side. I don't know how effective these locks were but I do know from experience that the lack of a drain around the pan is a weak point in lock design.

 

[Sam squanch]

Dave Person would know. Being a Manton shotgun, I would think these strange additions are for very fast ignition.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

It's a rain proof pan. The water that ran off the barrel and stock was channeled away from the pan by the shape of the lockplate on either side. I don't know how effective these locks were but I do know from experience that the lack of a drain around the pan is a weak point in lock design.

Indeed rainproof, and likely the best flintlock ever made.

 

[rich pierce]

I think the question is about the V, not the waterproof design which was around for quite a while. Top makers were trying many innovations to give customers the pride of having the latest thing. It’s possible that such a V design, as mentioned above, allowed ignition with a very scant amount of priming. If self-priming the touchhole would need to be fairly large and this might impact velocity. Dunno.

 

[wiscoaster]

It's a rain proof pan. The water that ran off the barrel and stock was channeled away from the pan by the shape of the lockplate on either side. I don't know how effective these locks were but I do know from experience that the lack of a drain around the pan is a weak point in lock design.

Yes. That's the right answer per this video I watched just a few days ago that explained it. It was one of Manton's many patented innovations.