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Handsome Cased Pair Of British Flintlock Dueling Pistols by Mortimer

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Handsome Cased Pair Of British Flintlock Dueling Pistols by Mortimer
26 Bore (.56 cal), 10'' smoothbore octagon barrels with slightly swamped muzzles and mostly bright very good bores showing a few small areas of pinprick pitting and light oxidation. The barrels of this fine set of pistols retain perhaps 80% of an antique plum-brown finish that is thinning to a pleasant deep gray patina along with some sparsely scattered pinprick pits. The barrel flats retain nice markings showing ''H.W. MORTIMER-LONDON. GUN-MAKER. TO HIS MAJESTY…'' and there are fine gold vent liners present. The locks feature later-style amenities throughout with stepped teat at rears, sliding safeties, bridled roller frizzens, waterproof pans and graceful swan-neck cocks, the neck of one showing a very old and well-executed repair. The locks have mostly toned to a pleasant smooth silver gray case-hardened patina with maker's name in fine script and some sparse tasteful embellishments. The frizzen springs retain a hint of fire blue, the barrels are secured with a pair of wedges without escutcheons and all hardware is iron consisting of ramrod thimble, tailpipe, attractive round triggerguard, and finely detailed pineapple and urn finial. There are stand of arms along the bows of the guards and the walnut stocks are very fine featuring robust square checkering and radiating flutes at the pommels. The stocks show a few repaired thin drying cracks, some scattered dings and lightly chipped points, otherwise maintaining a nice honest appearance overall and some areas of subtle attractive grain figure. Equipped with a set of heavy iron-tipped ramrods and sighted with deep notch rear sights and small silver bead front sights, the locks also feature adjustable set triggers. One lock will require some mechanical attention as it does not hold at full cock and the other functions crisply. The pistols includes a very fine antique case with brass lid handle and clasps showing some light dings and scuffs along the exterior. The interior is lined in green baize that shows some evident pilling and fading, likely an older relining, and there are two lidded compartments and a reproduction Mortimer label. The case contains a pair of ebony-handled mahogany shank cleaning rods, a few cleaning attachments, ebony handled turnscrew that appears to be a slightly more modern make, a key, and a three-compartment flask missing its spout and its body covered in red Moroccan leather. This is a very fine pair of pistols from a excellent quality and well-regarded London maker. (13E11519-1) {ANTIQUE} (10,000/15,000)