Harvey Walklate Mortimer (1753-1819) was appointed gunmaker to the king circa 1783. The Mortimer family were one of the best known and revered family of gunmakers of the era and manufactured a wide variety of firearms including blunderbuss like this one. The barrel also has a 10 1/2 inch folding bayonet, a set of London proof and view marks flanking "crown/HM" maker's marks on each side at the breech, "H.W. MORTIMER LONDON" on top at the breech, and scroll and bead engraving to the iron tang. The flat lock has a sliding safety, stepped tail and roller, and is signed "HW MORTIMER." The brass furniture has floral and martial engraving designs, and the trigger guard has an acorn finial. The ramrod has a horn tip. The gauge above is estimated, and the muzzle flares to just under 1 1/4 inches inside at the muzzle.

Fine overall with attractive aged patina on the brass, some minor distortion at the edges of the muzzle, dark gray patina and minor pitting on the lock, smooth re-oiled finish on the wood, minor setting cracks at the tail of the lock and nose of the side plate, a chip on the left at the forend tip, and minor overall wear. Mechanically fine other than the lack of a spring for the replacement bayonet.