Mortimer Rifle History

[pocono-rick]

Hi All,

I have a Pedersoli Mortimer Rifle in 54 caliber that I have been hunting with and shooting for a few years now...and love it. Im just curious about the history of the rifle they are trying to reproduce. All that Pedersoli says about the rifle is that it is English. No time period or original use of the rifle.
Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Pocono

 

[Rusty_Nail]

Do some googling on H.W. Mortimer. Here is one I found to start. 16 Ga. Sporting Gun

 

[biliff]

Pricey book, but you might be able to find it in a library. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/276/1/BOOK-MG

 

[19 16 6]

Hey nail, that is a 16 bore gun & not a 54 cal rifle. The lock is different on the Pedersoli Mortimer to the 16 bore H.W. Mortimer in the link.
From what I can gather the Pedersoli Mortimer is a copy of an English made Mortimer rifle from what they call the late period of flint lock. About the 1850 - 1860 timeline. Because it is from the late period it has refinements to the lock that come from years of development & experiment. Like the safety & lock time.
I agree with you that they are a very nice piece.
Looking at pictures on the net just does not seem to do the Mortimer too much justice. When it is in your hands & up to the shoulder it points like a quality English shotgun & the barrel just hangs on target.
O.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

Understood it wasn't the same gun. Just wanted to show him a link to some Mortimer guns.

 

[19 16 6]

No worries mate, no ill intended :v
O.

 

[pocono-rick]

Thanks All ! Thats what I needed to know . So the mid to late 1800's.Like 19-16-6 said, the rifle just falls on to the target.It is a bit on the heavy side but i dont mind because its accurate. As a matter of fact, thats why my buddy gave me the rifle...he said it was too heavy!I hunt with it no problem . His loss.

Any way ; now I have a new problem...the rifle isn't period correct for the late 1700s long hunter persona I was gearing up for. I have a Traditions Shenandoah rifle that used to shoot well until the pan broke right off the lock plate...cast junk!They want almost $100 to replace it !
Thanks again everyone!

Pocono

 

[biliff]

Thanks All ! Thats what I needed to know . So the mid to late 1800's.

Pocono

If you care to believe Pedersoli, it's listed as 1815-1830.

Definately not mid/late 19th century.

 

[19 16 6]

[
If you care to believe Pedersoli, it's listed as 1815-1830.

Definately not mid/late 19th century.

Yes Bill. Sorry Pocono, the 1815 date is given by Pedersoli.
I got that later date from some other reading I done a few months back.
Pedersoli oughta know.

 

[Wes/Tex]

If you care to believe Pedersoli, it's listed as 1815-1830.
Definately not mid/late 19th century.

Actually, Pedersoli's guess is pretty much spot on. Dr. James Grant was known to have carried "a fine English made Mortimer rifle"...and what Pedersoli makes is a very close copy. Grant was killed at the Battle of Aqua Dulce...one more mess that got nearly everyone killed. He'd been the secretary of the Coahuila y Tejas legislature but had fled after Santa Anna took control and abolished the 1824 Constitution. His death was March 2, 1836, so the 1815-1830 guess is virtually correct.

 

[pocono-rick]

Thanks Again Everyone !