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LOT 281
Engraved H. W. Mortimer & Son Saw-
Handle Flintlock Dueling Pistol - NSN,
28 bore cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue/silver finish, walnut stock. This
early 19th century dueling pistol features the distinct saw-handle style stock which aids in balance and
aiming, particularly with a heavier barrel like the smoothbore Damascus barrel on this pistol which features a dovetailed blade front sight, “-HW-/
MORTIMER/-& Co-” on the top of the platinum lined and banded breech, and “Gun Makers to his Majesty” along the top barrel flat. The standing
breech includes a notch rear sight and long sighting groove that also extends down the stock. The flat lock is signed “-HW-/-MORTIMER-/-& SON-”
and has a sliding safety. The pistol features a single set trigger, spurred trigger guard
marked “-89-/FLEET ST”, engraving mainly of martial trophy and foliate patterns, silver forend cap
and escutcheons, and checkered wrist and flared pommel on the stock. Notes from Norman R.
Blank indicate he purchased the pistol from W. Keith Neal in 1964. This pistol was part of the display of Norman R.
Blank’s collection at the NRA in 2004.
CONDITION: Fine with distinct Damascus patterns and light original brown finish along the barrel, dent on the
muzzle, some original case colors, attractively aged patina on the silver mounts, strong original blue on the trigger guard, mostly
smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and general mild overall wear. The refinished stock is good with crisp checkering,
slivers replaced along the edges of the forend, and a crack in the heel. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 1,700 - 2,500
LOT 282
Very Rare Cased Pair of Finely Engraved English German
Silver Barreled and Mounted Saw-Handle Percussion Pistols
-A) English Percussion Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon
bbl., German silver/niter blue finish, walnut stock. The only visible
marking on these c. 1830s pistols is “London” inscribed on top
of the rare German silver barrels. The underside of the barrels
also have Birmingham proofmarks along with “HM”. The barrels
are smoothbore and are equipped with dovetailed blade front
sights and swivel mounted iron ramrods and have extensive scroll
engraving. The casehardened breech plugs have three inlaid
German silver bands as well as scroll engraving. The German
silver standing breeches incorporate the notch rear sights and are
also scroll engraved as are the back action locks and the spurred
German silver trigger guards. Some of the other German silver
mounts are also lightly engraved. The pommel caps include cap/
nipple compartments. The walnut half-stocks are a saw-handle
design and have checkering on the curved wrists. The pair comes in
fitted mahogany case with a loading/cleaning rod, cap tin, and bag
shaped powder flask. These pistols were likely designed as traveling
pistols for an English gentleman, but they certainly could have also
been called upon for dueling if required.
CONDITION: Fine with light aged patina on the otherwise bright
German silver barrel and mounts, some original niter blue, dark
gray and brown patina on the balance, minor oxidation, and
distinct engraving and markings. The stock is also fine and has crisp
checkering and mild small scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
The accessories and re-lined case are very good with some age and storage wear, including
some cracks in the case lid. We cannot recall another pair of German silver barreled pistols
quite like these! B) English Percussion Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 9 3/8 inch octagon bbl.,
German silver/niter blue finish, walnut stock. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Fine with mostly bright German silver barrel and mounts with some light
patination, traces of original niter blue, dark gray and brown patina on the balance, crisp
markings and engraving, and minor oxidation. The stock is also fine and has some scrapes
and dings and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000