An Exceptional and Beautiful Historically Important Cased Pair of English Silver Mounted Brass Barrel & Lock Flintlock Officers/Dueling Pistols by MORTIMER, LONDON

An Exceptional and Beautiful Historically Important Cased Pair of English Silver Mounted Brass Barrel & Lock Flintlock Officers/Dueling Pistols by MORTIMER, LONDON, circa. 1780 presented by British General Sir Eyre Coote Cammander in Chief of the Army in India to his Aide-de-Camp Colonel Isaac Eaton at the final defeat of Hyder-Ali-Khan in Mysore, India. 

The defeat of Hyder-Ali-Khan in Mysore, India led by General Sir Eyre Coote, 1781. 

Hyder Ali Khan

British General Sir Eyre Coote, Commander in Chief of the Army in India.

 

The pistols have 10", .60 cal. octagon-to-round brass barrels with the top flats engraved "MORTIMER, LONDON" in script with the barrel makers mark, a small "CROWN" over "HM" (Harvey Walklate Mortimer), (2) oval "PROOF" and "VIEW" marks stamped on the left side of breech and (2) "CROSSED SCEPTERS" (Tower of London Proofs) on the right flats above the touch holes.  Very fine decoratively engraved steel barrel tangs.  The flat beveled and engraved brass locks have high quality sliding safety's, and engraved "MORTIMER" in script and fitted with high quality frizzen springs with brass rollers.  High quality classic Georgian engraved sterling silver hallmarked furniture includes engraved wrist escutcheons, trigger guards with acorn finials, long eared butt caps and open worked ribbon style side plates.  Both walnut stocks have decorative high-relief carving around the barrel tangs and are solid with sharp edges and both have minimal light scratches and dings from years of handling.  Both pistols are in their original flintlock configuration and are in good mechanical working order.  A beautiful and stunning pair of flintlock pistols in excellent condition with great historical significance and provenance !!!

Each pistol measures: 16 6/8" overall.

THE STERLING SILVER HALLMARKS: "C F" (Charles Freeth, Great Charles Street, Birmingham).  The "RAMPANT LION" (Quality Mark).  The "NAVAL ANCHOR" (Town Mark).  "H" (Date Letter for the year 1780).

NOTE: One pistol has a period wood repair just under the lock plate (see photos).

Accessories include: a wonderful early black leather covered 3-way powder flask, (2) bullet molds (1 brass, 1 iron), tow, lead balls, extra flints, turn screw, ram rod/cleaning rod, pan brush, powder/shot measure, later brass Enfield oiler, and patches. 

BOX:  High Quality Period English box made with circular vacant round brass insert on the top of the lid and Measures: 19.5" X 8.25" X 3" with correct original early English green baize lining.  Original notation written on the trade label stating the guns were cased by Isaac Rivier on May 1st 1841 for Thomas Hunt Andrews who was Col. Isaac Eaton's nephew, formerly of the 2nd Life Guard & Devon Militia and Deputy Lieutenant of the County in 1798.

ORIGINAL TRADE LABEL:  ISAAC RIVIER - "RIVIER, GUN MAKER, No. 315 Oxford Street, LONDON."  "PATENTEE FOR THE GUNS WITHOUT LOCKS." 

This maker was at this address from 1816-1851.  Ref. p. 79, BRITISH GUNMAKERS, Their Trade Cards, Cases and Equipment, 1760-1860.  By, W. Keith Neal & D.H.L. Back, c. 1980.

NOTE: "May 1st, 1841 - Cleaned & Case made for these pistols by Mr. Riviere for Mr. Andrews -".  Thomas Hunt Andrews was Col. Isaac Eaton's nephew, formerly of the 2nd Life Guard & Devon Militia and Deputy Lieutenant of the County in 1798.

The Gun Maker: Harvey Walklate MORTIMER

PROVENANCE: The pistols come with the original hand written statement from the nephew of Col. Isaac Eaton.  Thomas Hunt Andrews was Col. Isaac Eaton's nephew, formerly of the 2nd Life Guard & Devon Militia and Deputy Lieutenant of the County in 1798.

The translation:

 

 Research is ongoing...

 

TTI-563822