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LOT 374
Extremely Fine Pair
of Silver Mounted and Engraved H.W. Mortimer & Son Double Barrel
Flintlock Holster Pistols with London Hallmarks for 1811 -A) H.W. Mortimer & Son Double Barrel Flintlock Pistol - Serial no. 1392, 16 bore cal., 9 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock.
These pistols feature very attractive engraved silver wrist escutcheons, trigger
guards, and ramrod entry pipes with classical martial themed engraving along with plain
silver oval wedge escutcheons. The lower tangs have “M-B” silversmith marks and London
hallmarks that include the “Q” code for 1811. The smoothbore Damascus barrels each have
a fixed blade front sight, are signed “H.W. MORTIMER” on the top of the left barrel, “& SON
LONDON” on the top of the right barrel, and “GUN MAKERS TO HIS MAJESTY” on the concave
rib. The breech plugs have platinum bands and vent liners. There are sunburst patterns
engraved on the rib section of the breech plugs and the concave sighting groove on the
engraved standing breeches. The flat locks each have scroll pattern cocks, frizzen spring
rollers, sliding half-cock safeties, border and martial engraving, and “H.W. Mortimer/& Son”
signatures beneath the rainproof pans. The plain stocks each having a bag-shaped butt. A
very similar pistol from a pair numbered 1404 from the W. Keith Neal Collection is shown in
Plate 403 on page 247 of “The Mortimer Gunmakers, 1753-1923” by H. Lee Munson.
CONDITION: Fine with most of the older rebrowned finish remaining along the barrels along with attractive Damascus twist patterns, bright platinum bands and liners, light original case colors, attractive aged patina on the silver, minor overall wear, and distinct markings, engraving, and patterns throughout. The stock is very fine and has some light scratches and marks. Mechanically excellent. B) H.W. Mortimer & Son Double Barrel Flintlock Pistol - Serial no. 1395, 16 bore cal., 9 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Fine with 20% of the faded brown finish remaining primarily on the breech section of the barrels along with some light Damascus patterns, bright platinum bands and liners, 50% original case colors, attractive aged patina on the silver, minor overall wear, and distinct markings, engraving, and patterns throughout. The stock is very fine and has a few dents and light scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
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