He innovated sport shooting, improved weapon quality and paved the way for the modern artillery shell.

Although more reliable than Forsyth's design and adopted by many sportsmen during the Regency period (and a variant for the Austrian army),[5] it was quickly overshadowed by the percussion cap, which was adopted by the armies of Britain, France, Russia, and America to replace the flintlock.

Manton interested the army in purchasing a larger version of his wooden cup design[7] to be used in rifled artillery.

The army provided Manton a cannon and funding, and in return expected a greatly improved weapon.

Manton's design was superior, although an argument over payment caused the army to declare it of little benefit.

[8] Lang is credited with opening one of the first shooting schools in the premises adjoining the Royal Theatre Haymarket.