A Fine Flintlock Double Barrel Pistol by Mortimer.
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11” overall, 3 ¾” 50 bore turn-off cannon barrels numbered '1' and '2' respectively at the breeches, London Proofs, breeches numbered to correspond, action chiselled in bas-relief with engraved foliage over both sides, one side signed in capitals on a scroll against a martial trophy & cannon balls, on the other with cut-off lever decorated with spheres above a border en suite, action plate and ring neck cock decorated en suite, sliding trigger-guard safety catch with a flower head in a diamond on the bow. Figured rounded butt with swelling pommel profusely inlaid with silver wire scrollwork & rocailles enriched with a pair of silver cherubs, a pair of bats & small silver flower heads, cast & chased mask butt cap within a border of scrolling foliage. Birmingham Hall Mark date letter indistinct, CF mark for Charles Freeth.
Circa 1785
A very fine quality pistol in good condition, all silver wire present, top jaw & screw expertly replaced.
See H. Lee Munson ‘The Mortimer Gunmakers 1753-1923’, plates 5-6 for similar bas relief decoration and 10-11 for similar silver wire decoration.
Harvey Walklate Mortimer, 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. Retired, 1811. Died 1819.