Most sources give Fred Kimble credit for perfecting choke boring. A few sources say Manton (sorry fergot the first name) of London choke bored a few of his guns before the American Civil War. The fact that his guns were very high grade has kept any of them out of my gun vault, let alone any with choke boring.
However I was allowed to handle one once (much better than stayin' in a Holiday Inn last night.
) I will say if someone out there has one of those fine Manton muzzel loaders out there that has choke borin' I would be glad to do an extensive 3-4 year test to see how efective his version of choke boring performs on Newbrasskey pheasants and quail, perhaps prairie chickens and if FWS would give me a non-toxic shot waver I would be glad to test it on ducks and geese. Cousre I would have to try doves, maybe a few rabbits, fact anything edible would be a good test, might take longer than 3-4 years, might take 20-30, fact is better kiss it goodbye cause you ain't gettin' it back.
Ok, I like some others think they both developed it on their own. Doubt that a poor guy in Illernoise in the 1870's knew much about "London Best" shotguns.