A Rare and Important Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol by Mortimer. 

Notes:

This pistol is mentioned in H. Lee Munson (1998) The Mortimer Gunmakers 1753-1923, Mowbray Publishers, Lincoln, USA. (Page 27-28, plates 33, 34, 35, 36 & 37). 

"Another example of the extremely rare ‘H. Mortimer’ marking passed through Sotheby’s in London on 15 may 1984. Described in their catalogue as ‘a fine flintlock blunderbuss pistol’, it is worthy of close examination. In terms of historical significance to the Mortimer story, the most important feature is the signature which appears in script on both the lock plate and the top-flat of the octagonal portion of the barrel. On the barrel the signature is followed by the word ‘LONDON’ in block letters. Many times we consider ourselves lucky to be able to examine our own examples which are in unused, pristine condition but in this case we are fortunate that this pistols enough use to become slightly pitted around the touch hole and upper breech area/ For those of us who value condition, this statement seems almost sacrilegious but these fortuitous conditions have left very slight pit marks in the bottom of the groves of the engraving which appear under magnified examination. These marks prove conclusively that the engraving is original and has not been added or altered. Further proof that the signature is actually that of H. W. Mortimer is found on the upper left side of the breech between the proof marks of the Gunmakers Company in the form of H. W. Mortimer crown-over-HM maker’s mark”.