A Scarce 4 Barrelled Pocket Pistol by Mortimer.
An Incredibly Scarce 4 Barrelled Pocket Pistol by Mortimer. With brass turn-off barrels numbered from, ‘1’ to ‘4’, stamped below with London proofs, border engraved breeches and action in one piece, action decorated with sun bursts and signed to the left within an oval and decorated with stands of arms and ‘LONDON’ to the right, fitted with a sling safety catch that also locks the pan, swelling chequered walnut butt, steel trigger guard decorated with a shield on the bow.
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: 54 Bore
Barrel Length: 1.5 Inches (3.80 cm)
Overall Length: 6 Inches (15.25 cm)
