4433 UNUSUAL PAIR OF H.W. MORTIMER SAW HANDLE DUELLING

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Nov 02 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,500.00 USD
Estimated at 5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
OR HOLSTER PISTOLS WITH BELT HOOKS. Cal. 69 (both). S# 1144 (found on bottoms of barrel and tops of locks when removed). The 10" twist octagon barrels are engraved "H.W. Mortimer & Son London" "Gun-Makers to His Majesty" on top flat. A gold band is at breech end and touch holes are platinum lined. Feather engraved breech irons have integral rear sights and sighting grooves. Locks with flat plates are fitted with stylish French cocks having sliding safetys, semi-waterproof pans and roller frizzens with rollers on feather springs that have bulbous finials. Locks are engraved with rope borders and some arms. "H.W." "Mortimer" "& Son" is on lockplates. Figured European walnut stocks with saw handles and flared checkered grips are iron mounted. Trigger plates are fitted with set triggers. Trigger guards with spurs are engraved with Fleet Street address on bow and have pineapple finials. Bottoms of grips are inlet with oval steel escutcheons; engraved with rope borders. Stocks attach to barrels with two captive side bolts without escutcheons. The most interesting and unusual feature of these guns are the belt hooks mounted on left sides which give credence to the fact that most all pistols of this type were not used for duelling except in rare occasions. Most of the time they were used as holster pistols for gentlemen traveling on horseback. It appears that this pair could also be used when the gentleman was walking about; perhaps with business in a pub. Greenheart ramrods with horn tips and steel worm tails mount through beaded pipes and matching thimbles. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: photocopy of email correspondence between seller and wife of owner listing a purchase price of $11,500. CONDITION: good as refinished. Barrels retaining about 90% re-brown with good definition to pattern; all other steel and iron parts cleaned to silver gray. Stocks retain nearly all of a glossy oil finish over a fair number of scattered marks and with a few subsequent marks. Checkering somewhat worn and filled with oil. Bores are good with considerable pitting toward muzzles. Locks are good and complete without noted repairs. Triggers do set. Described and pictured on pages 174-175 of "The Mortimer Gunmakers 1753-1923" by H. Lee Munson. (01-26964/MGM). ANTIQUE. $5,000-8,000.