A Fine and Rare Pair of Flintlock Overcoat Pistols Reportedly For An Inspector of Mail Coaches by H.W. Mortimer, London. With stout browned two-stage barrels each engraved, ‘H.W. Mortimer London, Gunmaker To His Majesty’. Foliate engraved tangs, signed bevelled locks each engraved ’89 Fleet Street’ and fitted with a sliding safety, with stepped tail, bevelled cocks, figured full-stocks with rounded butts, brass trigger guards and ramrod-pipes, the former each with pineapple finial and engraved with foliage on the bow, brass tipped ramrods. 

A very rare pair of Royal Mail inspectors pistols. Both pistols numbered ‘5099’ on the top of the locks and under the barrels. They are of an exact pattern later taken on by J.Harding. These pistols are possibly the first true pair of such to come to the attention of Mail Coach collectors. 

MORTIMER

Harvey Walklate

Son of Harvey Walklate, apprenticed to father, 1791; free of Farriers Co., 1799. Gunmaker in partnership with father and uncle as H.W. Mortimer, Son & T. Mortimer, 1800-1807; with father as H.W. Mortimer & Son, 1808-14; own business as gunmaker, 89 Fleet Street., 1814-22; 4 East Street., Hoxton, 1823-4. 

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

Dimensions:

Bore: 20 Bore

Barrel Length: 4 Inches (10.16 cm)

Overall Length: 8 Inches (20.32 cm)