Lot Essay
Harvey Walklate Mortimer (1753-1819) received his appointment to King George III in 1783
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BY H.W. MORTIMER, 89 FLEET STREET, LONDON, NO. 1404, CIRCA 1795
Details
A Very Fine Cased Pair Of 18-Bore D.B. Flintlock Carriage Pistols
By H.W. Mortimer, 89 Fleet Street, London, No. 1404, circa 1795
With browned twist barrels signed on the breeches 'H.W. Mortimer. London. Gun-Maker to his Majesty' and with an engraved band at the rear, silver fore-sights, and gold-lined touch-holes, grooved case-hardened tangs finely engraved with floral and foliate decoration and a martial trophy, signed case-hardened locks each with moulded border, engraved stepped tail, gold-lined semi-rainproof pan, roller, blued steel-spring, and original blued finish on the internal working parts, finely figured walnut half-stocks (some small bruises), chequered butts, carved spirally fluted pommels, finely engraved blued iron mounts including trigger-guards decorated with a tiger's mask and a martial trophy, and each with urn finial matched by another urn on the ramrod tail-pipe, iron barrel-bolt escutcheons, original horn-tipped ramrods, one with worm, and nearly all their original finish throughout: in original lined and fitted mahogany case with accessories, the lid with trade label for 1782-99, and flush-fitting carrying handle, in very fine condition throughout, London proof marks
15½in. (39.4cm.)
By H.W. Mortimer, 89 Fleet Street, London, No. 1404, circa 1795
With browned twist barrels signed on the breeches 'H.W. Mortimer. London. Gun-Maker to his Majesty' and with an engraved band at the rear, silver fore-sights, and gold-lined touch-holes, grooved case-hardened tangs finely engraved with floral and foliate decoration and a martial trophy, signed case-hardened locks each with moulded border, engraved stepped tail, gold-lined semi-rainproof pan, roller, blued steel-spring, and original blued finish on the internal working parts, finely figured walnut half-stocks (some small bruises), chequered butts, carved spirally fluted pommels, finely engraved blued iron mounts including trigger-guards decorated with a tiger's mask and a martial trophy, and each with urn finial matched by another urn on the ramrod tail-pipe, iron barrel-bolt escutcheons, original horn-tipped ramrods, one with worm, and nearly all their original finish throughout: in original lined and fitted mahogany case with accessories, the lid with trade label for 1782-99, and flush-fitting carrying handle, in very fine condition throughout, London proof marks
15½in. (39.4cm.)
Literature
H. Lee Munson, The Mortimer Gunmakers 1753-1923, p. 246, plate 402
Exhibited
The Game Fair, Blenheim Palace, 28-30 July 2000
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.