Pair of Tube-Lock Hammers
ca. 1819–20
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
H. of each 2 5/16 in. (6 cm); Wt. of each 1.1 oz (31 g)
Classification
Firearms Parts
Culture
British, London
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, by exchange, 2004
Accession Number
2004.118.1, .2
Art Historical Context
Behold this exquisite pair of-lock hammers, crafted by the renowned British gunsmith Joseph Manton 1819–20. Made of finely worked steel, each hammer measures just 2 5/16 inches high and weighs a mere 1.1 ounces, showcasing the precision engineering of London's premier firearms workshops. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department, these tiny components are masterpieces of functional artistry, acquired through the Fletcher Fund in 200. Manton's innovation came during the early 19th century, a pivotal era when firearm technology shifted from unreliable flintlocks to mo...