Thomas Del Mar - Armour Sale

686968A FLINTLOCK MAIL COACH PISTOL BY H.W. MORTIMER &CO, LONDON, GUNMAKER TO HIS MAJESTY, NO. 221,CIRCA 1799-1806with signed swamped brass barrel stamped ‘for HisMajesty’s Mail Coaches’ around the muzzle (worn andillegible in parts), plain steel barrel tang, signed steppedbolted lock (signature worn, small areas of pitting), figuredwalnut full stock, brass mounts of regulation type includingscrolling side-plate, trigger-guard with bud-shaped finial,and butt-plate with tang of shaped outline (later ramrod,worn throughout commensurate with use)37.5cm; 14N inThe standard arms carried by the mail coach guard was ablunderbuss and a pair of flintlock pistols. Under theinstructions of the Mailcoach Superintendent the firearmswere carried loaded and regularly cleaned and checked,which explains the condition of the majority of survivingexamples. H.W. Mortimer is recorded receiving payment forpistols at regular intervals from April 1788 ‘....for firearmsfor the Mail Guards from 24-April 1790-5 January 1791£131-10-0'. He is further recorded supplying pistols for thehorse post in accounts of 2nd December 1803. See F.Wilkinson 2002, p.120.£800-100069A FLINTLOCK MAIL COACH PISTOL BY H.W.MORTIMER,LONDON, GUNMAKER TO HIS MAJESTY, NO. 161, CIRCA1795-99with signed swamped brass barrel retaining traces ofengraved letters around the muzzle, plain steel barrel tang,signed stepped bolted lock (cock replaced), figured walnutfull stock, brass mounts of regulation type includingscrolling side-plate, trigger-guard with bud-shaped finial,and butt-plate with tang of shaped outline (later ramrod,wear commensurate with use)37cm; 14I inSee footnote to previous lot.£700-90025