BY H.W. MORTIMER, 89 FLEET STREET, LONDON, CIRCA 1785-90

Details

An Exceptional Cased Pair Of 10-Bore Flintlock Carriage Pistols
By H.W. Mortimer, 89 Fleet Street, London, circa 1785-90
With swamped browned sighted barrels each signed within a loop on the top flat of the breech 'H.W. Mortimer. London. Gun. Maker to his Majesty' and with an engraved band at the rear, case-hardened tangs finely engraved with scrolls, flowers and foliage, signed case-hardened bevelled locks each with stepped tail, engraved safety-catch, blued steel-spring, and original blued finish on the internal working parts, figured walnut full stocks, chequered butts with a cross in the centre of each diamond, fluted pommels, engraved blued iron mounts including trigger-guards engraved with a martial trophy and with flaming urn finial, case-hardened trigger-plates, and original horn-tipped ramrods, one with worm, in little used condition throughout, with nearly all their original finish: in original lined and fitted mahogany case with accessories including brass charger and associated powder-flask, the lid with trade label for 1783-99, and flush-fitting carrying handle, in very fine condition throughout
14¾in. (37.5cm.)

Literature

H. Lee Munson, The Mortimer Gunmakers 1753-1923, pp. 51-2, plate 84 W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, British Gunmakers Their Trade Cards, Cases and Equipment 1760-1860, plate 425

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

The late owner's handwritten note in the case records that the charger holds exactly three drams of powder and that the pistols are 'very formidable with either ball or shot'
Harvey Walklate Mortimer (1753-1819) received his appointment to King George III in 1783

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