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LOT 253
Exceptional British Ketland & Co. Brown Bess Style Flintlock Officers Fusil - NSN, 75 cal., 46 1/4 inch round bbl., brown/bright finish, walnut stock. “Ketland/& Co.” marked lock, fancy script initials inscribed on the circular brass escutcheon on top of the stock wrist, and Ordnance private crown proofs on the left of the breech surrounding “GR”. This circa 1775-1800 officers fusil was made with a high level of fit and finish, likely for a high ranking individual. Features a sighting groove at the breech, brass fittings, and wedges securing the barrel. CONDITION: Very fine, with strong brown finish on the barrel with some light flash pitting, a bright appearance on the lock, pleasing golden aged patina on the brass fittings, with sharp markings and edges overall in the metal. Stock is also very fine with defined edges, some scattered light handling marks, a pin-sized hole in the left of the buttstock likely from a display plaque, and one concentrated area of numerous light lines ahead of the lock from display. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 254
Exceptional Ketland & Co. Brass Barrel Flintlock
Blunderbuss with Underslung “Snap Bayonet” - NSN, 16 gauge, 15 3/8 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured circa 1800-1810. The brass barrel is four stages with the bore flaring at the muzzle to nearly
1 1/4 inches, “London” in script on top, and turned moldings. The underside has a “crown/C[?]” marking. The sprung bayonet
is fitted beneath the barrel, and the ramrod is housed on the left side. The engraved iron standing breech has a sighting groove.
The flat beveled lock has a stepped tail and is signed “Ketland & Co.” The walnut, half length stock is fitted with engraved brass furniture
including a trigger guard incorporating the bayonet release trigger on the finial. “DE” is marked behind the trigger guard tang.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with light aged patina on the brass barrel and furniture, mottled gray and brown patina on the iron, and general mild overall wear. The stock is very fine and has mild scratches and dings and a small spot of filler on both sides just behind the trigger guard bow along with a small crack at the same spot on the left. Mechanically excellent, including the bayonet mechanism.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
LOT 255
H.W. Mortimer Flintlock Coach Carbine with Snap Bayonet and Inscribed
Muzzle - NSN, 10 gauge, 15 3/4 inch round bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut stock. Harvey
Walklate Mortimer (1753-1819) was appointed gunmaker to the king circa 1783. The Mortimer
family were one of the best known and revered gunmakers of the era and manufactured a wide variety of
firearms including blunderbusses like this one which was manufactured around 1790. The muzzle is inscribed “HAPPY HE THAT ESCAPES ME” on the face. This rather humorous marking is known on coach guns by multiple gun
makers from as early as at least the 1730s. Note the similar example on page 198 of “The Mortimers: Gunmakers,
1753-1923” by Munson. Other markings on the muzzles of coach guns of multiple types by Mortimer are also known. The barrel also has a 13 1/2 inch folding bayonet, two sets of London private proof and view marks flanking “crown/ HM” maker’s marks on each side at the breech, “H.W. MORTIMER LONDON/GUN MAKER TO HIS MAJESTY” on top at the breech, and nice engraving. The lock has a sliding safety and is marked “H.W.MORTIMER” at center. The brass furniture has floral and martial engraving designs, and the thumb plate has the initials “RO” in fancy script.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel has a blend of faded original brown finish, gray and brown patina, some minor pitting,
light oxidation, and some subtle Damascus patterns. There is some concentric rings around the touch hole, lending one to believe reconversion, which is not the case. The bayonet has 50% fire blue finish and brown patina on the balance. The casehardened lock has even brown patina. The brass has aged
patina throughout. The stock is fine with some cracks and repairs around the lock inlet and forend tip and general mild scratches and nicks throughout. Mechanically fine. This is a really intriguing coach gun variation manufactured by one of the finest late 18th century gunmakers.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500