Product Details
SAMPSON MORDAN
A STERLING SILVER GENTLEMAN'S TOOTHPICK IN THE FORM OF A FLINTLOCK PISTOL,
of 2 3/8in. in length with triangulated pick extended which retracts, using the triggerguard, into a cannon-barrelled housing, stamped to one side 'S. MORDAN' and 'JULY 6 1840' to the other, the grip with foliate scrolls and small lanyard ring.
Other Notes: Sampson Mordan was a celebrated London silversmith born 1790 who, together with his partner John Hawkins, patented the first successful propelling pencil. Mordan made a wide range of gold and silver accoutrements and these were often in the form of whimsical objects, such as seen here.
Mordan died in April 1843 and his two sons took over the running of the business. The company survived until 1941 when the factory was completely destroyed during the Blitz.
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Estimate £150-250