GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
WONDERFUL H. W. MORTIMER FLINTLOCK BIG BORE DOUBLE RIFLE WITH BIG CAT MOTIF ENGRAVING AND FILED DECORATION. MORTIMER FLINTLOCK DBL RIFLE NSN 12 BORE Cal. 12 bore. (.752 Groove diameter. 8 U-shaped deep grooves.) 33" Twist bbls with sunken game rib, are engraved "H. W. Mortimer. London." and "GUN MAKER to His MAJESTY" on tops. Bottoms of bbls and patent breeches are stamped with London gun makers proofs. Ebony ramrod with tulip brass head and worm under brass capped tail is held by two nicely beaded pipes. Patent breeches have engraved gold bands at back ends, and are fitted with gold lined touch-holes. Breech iron is scroll and acanthus engraved and has tiger peeking forth from rear. Locks with rebated tails feature flat faced serpentine cocks, semi-waterproof gold lined pans, and bridled roller frizzens. Feather springs have bulbous finials. Chamfers of lockplates and cocks are exceptionally well finished with filed in ovolo moldings. "H. W. Mortimer" is engraved in script under pans, and alert recumbent lions are behind cocks. Both triggers are set with adjustment screws at front of trigger plate. Large bow double beaded trigger guard is engraved with lion under palm tree at bow, and with sunburst at scrolled grip. Front portion of guard extends forward with filed in outline of engraved lion perched on vase, in place of pineapple. This motif is mimicked at thimble. Dark, well marbled, European walnut stock is coarsely checkered at grip and forend, and is fitted with small right hand shadow line cheekpiece and patchbox on right side with sliding wood cover. Steel buttplate has long top tang. Stock attaches to bbls with captive side nail through oval silver escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/2", drop at comb: approx 1-3/8". Weight: 10 lbs. 12 oz. Manufactured ca 1790. CONDITION: Good. Bbls retain most of an old re-brown over considerable pitting, with fair definition to pattern, engraving is a bit thin. Ramrod is old, most likely not orig, as it is a bit small in diameter and has been stretched. Remainder of metal parts are mostly a gray to brown patina, however traces of blue are on trigger guard bow. Stock shows a few repairs, with new wood inlet at left side of forend. Patchbox cover is most likely an old replacement. Bores are very fine, shiny with strong rifling. Locks are crisp. Frizzens are rather gummed. Set triggers work. Gold lining of right pan possibly replaced. A really cool and very rare flintlock double rifle. A similar rifle is described in THE MORTIMER GUNMAKERS on page 45, and pictured on page 47. 49958-3 MGM86 (6,000-9,000)