Original British 14 Bore Double Barrel Percussion Fowling Piece by Mortimer with Silver Inlaid Barrel Strap – circa 1850 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a typical patinated British-made Double Barreled Percussion fowling piece (shotgun), possibly intended for the large U.S. import market. It is marked on both lock plates with MORTIMER, a legendary name in British firearms. H.W. Mortimer was a top quality maker, mostly Serving King George III. He was granted the right to mark his guns “Gunmaker To His Majesty”, at least until King George III died in 1820. His descendants continued the firm after his passing.

The wide barrel strap still has a faint marking on the top:

London

The barrels look to be made from standard steel or iron, not “spiral” or “Damascus” as would be seen later. The barrel strap has a fantastic silver inlaid hunting scene, showing a hunter wearing a wide-brimmed hat behind a hunting hound, which is chasing out some game fowl. There is a bit of fencing and bare trees also evident in this hunting scene, which we really haven’t seen anything like before. The bottoms of each barrel bear the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC “proof” and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V “viewed” marks from the City of Birmingham Proof House. There are no bore indications or “Crown /  BP” marking, which were introduced in 1855, so this fowling piece was made prior to that, we estimate about 1850. It should be noted that the barrel strap is partly detached from the tops of the barrels due to the solder joints failing and oxidation setting in.

This very nice DOUBLE BARREL 14 bore Percussion Shotgun presents very nicely, with a lovely patina of age. The wrist of the stock is finely checkered for a better grip, which is still well retained. The shotgun’s fittings are mostly of iron except for the nickel silver barrel wedge escutcheons, and the nickel silver patch clearing worm trap on the bottom of the butt stock, which is empty There is lovely decorative engraving on most of the metalwork, which is now a bit hard to see due to wear and oxidation. The barrel wedge can still be removed with some effort, and the barrel removed with a bit of wiggling.

The locks are both fully functional, holding at half cock and firing only at full. Both cap nipple cones are present and show a lot of wear, with the left one being crushed and the right partly broken off. There is a ramrod under the barrel, but it is a replacement made from cane or some other very flexible material.

This is a very nice looking gun by a famous London maker, and would look perfect mounted on the wall. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1850
Caliber: 14 Bore / Gauge – about 0.693
Cartridge Type: Powder & Shot with Cap
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 48 Inches
Action type: Side Action Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.