MASSIVE H. W. MORTIMER SIX BORE FLINTLOCK DOUBLE RIFLE.

MASSIVE H. W. MORTIMER SIX BORE FLINTLOCK DOUBLE RIFLE. SN NSN. (ca 1805) Cal. 6 bore..910 Groove diameter. 11 deep rounded grooves. 33″ Twist bbls with concave rib, fitted with large silver front bead, are engraved “H. W. Mortimer London” and “Gun Maker To His Majesty” on tops. London black powder proofs are on bottoms of bbls and breech plugs, which have gold lined touch holes and inlaid gold bands at rear. Two heavy beaded pipes hold ebony ramrod with brass head and tail (steel worm under cap). Breech irons have feather engraved borders with feline head looking out from tang. Large flintlocks have flat plates with molded chamfers, and rebated tails, and feature gold lined semi-waterproof pans, bridled roller frizzens; springs having bulbous finials with small teats. Matching serpentine cocks are nicely filed. Lockplates are engraved “H. W. Mortimer” under pans and with recumbent large cats (lions?) at rears. Stock, which appears to be of mahogany, is iron mounted, and features right hand, shadow line, molded cheekpiece, sliding wooden cover patchbox on right side, and coarse wraparound point pattern checkering with broad mullered borders. Furniture continues large cat theme, with feline shaped finials to trigger plate and thimble, and with cat engraved on double beaded trigger guard bow. It is interesting to note that although rifled, this large rifle is not fitted with a rear sight, even though both triggers are “set”. Stock mounts to bbls with single captive side nail through oval silver escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/8″, drop at comb: approx 1-5/16″. Weight: 16 lbs. 0 oz. Included with rifle is a framed certificate from the Gold Medal Concours de’ Elegance announcing this gun as the winner of the Gold Medal in the Vintage British Rifle Class at the 9th Concours 14 May 2005. PROVENANCE: Framed certificate. CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain nearly all of an old re-brown, with excellent definition to pattern, and have been lacquered. Other metal parts are a pleasing silver to smooth gray brown patina. Refinished and re-checkered stock had considerable (well done, almost invisible) repairs to bbl channel and areas around locks. Patchbox cover is a well matched replacement. Locks and frizzens are crisp. Triggers won’t set (need adjustment). An incredibly neat big bore from the period of the initial opening up and exploration of the remote parts of India and Africa. H. W. Mortimer is known for making a few of these large bore rifles, two of which, a single 6 and a double 12, are illustrated and described in H. Lee Munson’s THE MORTIMER GUNMAKERS, 1753 – 1923 on pages 45 through 49. The 12 bore has engravings and finials very similar to this much larger rifle. this particular rifle is pictured on pages 55-56 of the BRITISH BORE RIFLE by Cal Pappas. 4-48172 MGM155 (35,000-45,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1208	$0.00	MASSIVE H. W. MORTIMER SIX BORE FLINTLOCK DOUBLE RIFLE. SN NSN. (ca 1805) Cal. 6 bore..910 Groove diameter. 11 deep rounded grooves. 33″ Twist bbls with concave rib, fitted with large silver front bead, are engraved “H. W. Mortimer London” and “Gun Maker To His Majesty” on tops. London black powder proofs are on bottoms of bbls and breech plugs, which have gold lined touch holes and inlaid gold bands at rear. Two heavy beaded pipes hold ebony ramrod with brass head and tail (steel worm under cap). Breech irons have feather engraved borders with feline head looking out from tang. Large flintlocks have flat plates with molded chamfers, and rebated tails, and feature gold lined semi-waterproof pans, bridled roller frizzens; springs having bulbous finials with small teats. Matching serpentine cocks are nicely filed. Lockplates are engraved “H. W. Mortimer” under pans and with recumbent large cats (lions?) at rears. Stock, which appears to be of mahogany, is iron mounted, and features right hand, shadow line, molded cheekpiece, sliding wooden cover patchbox on right side, and coarse wraparound point pattern checkering with broad mullered borders. Furniture continues large cat theme, with feline shaped finials to trigger plate and thimble, and with cat engraved on double beaded trigger guard bow. It is interesting to note that although rifled, this large rifle is not fitted with a rear sight, even though both triggers are “set”. Stock mounts to bbls with single captive side nail through oval silver escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/8″, drop at comb: approx 1-5/16″. Weight: 16 lbs. 0 oz. Included with rifle is a framed certificate from the Gold Medal Concours de’ Elegance announcing this gun as the winner of the Gold Medal in the Vintage British Rifle Class at the 9th Concours 14 May 2005. PROVENANCE: Framed certificate. CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain nearly all of an old re-brown, with excellent definition to pattern, and have been lacquered. Other metal parts are a pleasing silver to smooth gray brown patina. Refinished and re-checkered stock had considerable (well done, almost invisible) repairs to bbl channel and areas around locks. Patchbox cover is a well matched replacement. Locks and frizzens are crisp. Triggers won’t set (need adjustment). An incredibly neat big bore from the period of the initial opening up and exploration of the remote parts of India and Africa. H. W. Mortimer is known for making a few of these large bore rifles, two of which, a single 6 and a double 12, are illustrated and described in H. Lee Munson’s THE MORTIMER GUNMAKERS, 1753 – 1923 on pages 45 through 49. The 12 bore has engravings and finials very similar to this much larger rifle. this particular rifle is pictured on pages 55-56 of the BRITISH BORE RIFLE by Cal Pappas. 4-48172 MGM155 (35,000-45,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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