407 - AN ENGLISH MORTIMER MARKED PERCUSSION SPORTING RIFLE, C. 1850

AN ENGLISH MORTIMER MARKED PERCUSSION SPORTING RIFLE, C. 1850 A mid-19th century percussion sporting rifle marked 'Mortimer' on the lockplate, engraved breech tang, lockplate, and hammer. Hammer rendered as a fish. Breech begins octagonal and tapers into subdivided facets, transitions to round barrel. Brass thumbplate and other fixtures. Quarter length stock. Smoothbore approximately 20 mm (.787 calibre). The name Mortimer was one of the most well renowned in the world of gunsmithing in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly for their sporting rifles. Various members of the London based Mortimer family became famous for the quality of their firearms and their ornamentation, with some acting as official gunmakers to Kings George III and George IV. London, England, c. 1850. Dimensions: L: 47 1/4 in., (120 cm.) Condition: Stock with some scratches, chips, and dings. Barrel with light pitting across surface, providing a pleasant patina. Oxidation visible inside bore. Engraving polished smooth in places. Mechanism functional, a little stuck at full-cock. Lacking ramrod. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All statements contained in the catalog, condition reports, invoices, advertisements, or elsewhere concerning the authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, period, culture, source, provenance, authenticity, genuineness, condition, rarity, importance, or value of any lot are statements of opinion only and shall not be construed as representations, warranties, or statements of fact. All lots are sold "as-is", refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions does not offer in-house shipping. We will provide a list of recommended shippers upon request.