October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2018
Made ca 1810, this fine example of the near perfection of the flintlock, was most likely made by Jackson Mortimer working in London between 1802 and 1818, where he advertised himself and his nephew, Thomas Jackson Mortimer, as "gun maker to HRH, the Prince Regent". It has 33" skelp twist barrels engraved with retailer (?) "EDWARD - WESTON - GUNMAKER - LEWIS" on swamped game rib. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with London black powder proofs. A hickory ramrod with brass head (tail missing) is in two plain pipes. Breeches, following Nock's central fire patent, are not inset, and have platinum touch holes. Inlaid gold bands are at rear portions. Breech iron is engraved in traditional style with partial sunbursts and acanthus. Locks with beveled plates have rebated pointed tails. They are fitted with full waterproof pans, roller frizzens with rollers on springs, and serpentine cocks. Locks are engraved with small game birds at rears and on cocks, with some scroll. Partial sunbursts are below lock screw holes. "J. MORTIMER" is under pans. Trigger guard has front portion forming stylized pineapple finial, matching thimble. Bow is engraved with pheasant perched on branch. Lightly figured dark European walnut stock measures 14 - 7/8" over steel buttplate with medium length top spur engraved with bird dog crouched anticipating flight of partridge. Squared checkering, typical for period, is at grip and forend, and a vacant silver oval is at top of grip. Stock attaches to barrels with side bolt through oval silver escutcheons. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, mostly original as found. Barrels retain approximately 80% of what appears to be original brown with excellent definition to pattern, most loss due to some staining and rusting, probably due to cleaning fluids, at breech end of left barrel, as well as some cleaned oxidation on right barrel toward muzzle. Breech plugs with good case color on bottoms, are silvered on tops with some minor pitting left side associated with aforementioned staining. Locks and cocks retain most of what appears to be their original muted case hardening color, which is quite strong on cocks. There is a considerable amount of original blue on trigger guard, perhaps 15%. Buttplate is mostly brown to black, with some light pitting. Stock retains most of what appears to be its original finish, with numerous marks and scratches, checkering somewhat worn. There is an old repair to wood in front of pan on left side, and a 5/8" crack starting at same area on right. Barrel bolt is a well done replacement. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout. Locks and frizzen springs are excellent. Faces of frizzens show little use. Right cock holds old flint. There are no noted replacement parts or flaws in locks. This gun should clean up well, and make an excellent shooter. The Mortimer family of gun makers have a very high reputation. MGM 237
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .050 R .043
Gauge
18 (.600 bore diameter)