A Cased Pair Of Percussion D.B. Carriage Pistols by H.W. Mortimer, London, Gun-Maker To His Majesty, Late 18th Century

Converted from flintlock, and with silver fore-sight with rebrowned twist barrels each signed along the breeches, engraved with a line of beadwork at the rear, case-hardened border engraved tangs each grooved for sighting and decorated with a foliated scallop shell, signed flat bevelled case-hardened locks, each with stepped tail, safety-catch and foliate engraved hammer, figured half-stocks each with rounded pineapple chequered butt, blued steel mounts comprising border engraved trigger-guards in the French taste and each with large pineapple finial and decorated with foliage on the bow, rear ramrod-pipe with pineapple finial en suite, and original ramrods each with iron worm, one with horn tip and the other with threaded tip also forming a powder-measure: in original lined and fitted oak case with brass-mounted three-way powder-flask covered in black leather, and steel bullet mould, the interior of the lid with maker's illustrated trade label for 1783-99, the exterior with folding brass carrying handle of Chippendale form, London proof marks and Mortimer's barrelsmith's mark. 

MORTIMER 

Harvey Walklate Son of Samuel Mortimer, born 1753. Apprenticed to father, 1772; free of Farriers Co., 1782; elected Assistant, 1807. Gunmaker, at Mr Greens ironmonger, 6 Kings Street., Lincolns Inn Fields, 1779; 89 Fleet Street., 1782-99. Appointed Gunmaker to George III, 1783. Contractor to East India Co., 1796-1806. Specialised in repeating pistols and gold mounted guns for the Eastern market. Advertised For the Inspection of the Curious, just finished, Three pair of Elegant Pistols, mounted in solid gold value 547 intended as a present to a foreign Prince, 1784 (Morning Herald, 20 August). Registered mark as small worker at Goldsmiths Hall, 1798. Made gold-mounted firearms set with diamonds for the U.S. Government as present for Bey of Tunis, 1801-2. Member of Law Association Volunteers, provided their muskets, 1803. His own musket in Inns of Court Museum, London. Became H. W. Mortimer, Son & T. Mortimer. Retired, 1811. Died 1819.   

Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. 

Dimensions:

Bore: 28-Bore

Barrel Length: 9.5 Inches (24.13 cm)

Overall Length: 14 Inches (35.56 cm)